Local Companies Should Be Given Priority, Opportunities In AI Projects -- Sim

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 (Bernama) -- Local companies have competitive expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) and should be given priority to carry out AI projects, said Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Sim Tze Tzin today.

The deputy minister said that when local firms are given the chance to implement AI projects, they will be able to learn, develop and enhance their capabilities, thereby opening up the potential to market those products or services internationally in the future.

“Local, federal and state governments must prioritise local companies. We need to adopt a localisation approach and give them opportunities.

“Prioritise local companies; we have engineers and AI startups with expertise. If we give them priority, one day we will produce outstanding AI companies,” he said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Sim was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad (BN-Simpang Renggam) regarding the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry’s (MITI) plans to build an innovative and creative society, not just a technology consumer base.

Meanwhile, responding to a question from Rushdan Rusmi (PN-Padang Besar) about efforts to develop a smart industrial ecosystem in the country’s border areas, Sim said that AI spans all sectors and offers opportunities across a wide range of industries and regions.

“From now on, if we don’t have AI capability, we will fall behind. Every industry, every sector, every application must be AI‑embedded before we can solve problems more effectively,” he said.

Sime therefore urged the Perlis state government and the Home Ministry to use AI to improve operational efficiency, particularly at the borders.

Through Budget 2026, Malaysia aims to emerge as a regional leader in AI by strengthening the entire value chain covering research, development, commercialisation and innovation (RDCI).

For this purpose, the government has allocated nearly RM5.9 billion across various ministries as an integrated effort to realise Malaysia’s aspiration to become an AI nation by 2030.

From the second half of 2024 through 2025, Malaysia attracted about RM3.6 billion in AI‑related technology investments, including AI-related development initiatives and support for more than 60 local startups.

-- BERNAMA