Tag: Malaysia Digital Economy Coporation

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) hosted the Digital Tourism Innovation Lab (DTIL) Demo Day Cohort 2, marking the second phase of an initiative designed to foster tourism tech innovation across Malaysia.

Established to revolutionise the tourism industry, DTIL is a collaboration between MDEC and 1337 Ventures. It aims to cultivate tourism tech companies, support innovative tourism offerings, meet the industry’s digitalization demands, and create a vibrant tourism tech community in Malaysia.

DTIL provides access to a wealth of resources, including mentorship, funding opportunities, state-of-the-art facilities, and a collaborative environment with like-minded innovators and industry experts. This initiative drives impactful innovation, contributing to the digital transformation of Malaysia’s tourism industry and making a tangible impact on local communities.

Yang Berusaha Encik Ma Sivanesan, deputy secretary general for digital development at the Ministry of Digital, expressed strong enthusiasm for the innovative tourism technologies showcased by Cohort 2 participants. He highlighted the crucial role of digital innovation in transforming Malaysia’s tourism sector and praised the companies for their efforts in developing and applying advanced technologies in the industry.

As a vital pillar of Malaysia’s service sector, the tourism industry has significant potential to boost the nation’s GDP. With increasing digital adoption, the sector is poised for transformative growth. MDEC’s DTIL initiative highlights the urgent need to digitalize the tourism industry, especially with Visit Malaysia Year 2026 approaching. 

By fostering innovation, creating new experiences, and empowering local communities, DTIL is set to revolutionise Malaysia’s tourism industry. The journey continues with Cohort 3, and the call is out for all innovators and partners to join this exciting venture. 

The third cohort aims to attract innovative minds and foster partnerships to drive the next wave of tourism tech innovation, leveraging advancements in AI, blockchain, advanced 5G connectivity, and other technologies. DTIL encourages start-ups, investors, and industry players to participate in this initiative.

Ts. Mahadhir Aziz, chief executive officer of MDEC, said, “We are on the verge of a digital revolution in tourism. The innovations showcased today not only enhance the tourist experience in Malaysia but also pave the way for sustainable growth and community empowerment. With Visit Malaysia Year 2026 approaching, it is imperative that we accelerate our digitalization efforts to ensure we offer world-class experiences to our visitors.”

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) has launched anew the ‘#SayaDigital Movement’ in Malaysia, which had been originally introduced to increase digital literacy among the B40 group, youths, senior citizens, and socio-economically vulnerable across 12 locations in the country.

The #SayaDigital campaign was first launched in 2020 as part of MDEC’s efforts to support Malaysians and local businesses to step up digitalization measures that will help to reduce the socio-economic impact of the pandemic. Through the campaign, MDEC introduced several initiatives, such as SME Digital Summit, #YoungCreators Movement, #MYDigitalWorkforce Week, and Gig and Freelance Expo (GFX). 

This year’s ‘#SayaDigital Movement’ focuses on four components, namely, training young people to become ‘Geng #SayaDigital’ volunteers, creating awareness through digital literacy activities, conducting digital readiness assessments, and providing basic digital skills training to the community. 

To kickstart the #SayaDigital this 2021, three pilot programs were held to raise digital literacy awareness involving 301 participants, with the latest being held at Kampung Desa Temuan in Bukit Lanjan last March. A series of interactive workshops were implemented that exposed them to the digital skills needed to face challenges in the new normal.

In addition, there are eight #SayaDigital online programs that have been streamed via Facebook Live. MDEC has also designed 12 adaptation and digital literacy programs with 2,000 participants who are expected to participate in a basic digital literacy training course. They will be working closely with 100 volunteers who are also known as ‘Geng #SayaDigital’ ambassadors. 

Participants will answer the ‘Digital Readiness Assessment’ to measure their level of digital literacy. The test results will then determine the ‘Basic Digital Literacy Learning Module’ that they will be assigned to. The program also includes three main modules – digital communication, internet banking and e-wallet, and digital service applications that are used in other countries.

Tan Sri Dato’ Hj. Muhyiddin bin Hj. Mohd Yassin, the YAB prime minister of Malaysia, said, “MDEC’s move to launch #SayaDigital to enhance digital skills among the B40 group, youths, senior citizens, and socio-economically vulnerable groups is timely as our country strives to achieve its ambition of becoming a major regional digital economy market. This is in line with the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 (SPV 2030), an initiative that will not marginalize any groups of people.”

Meanwhile, YBhg. Datuk Wira Dr Hj. Rais Hussin Mohamed Ariff, the chairman of MDEC, shared that the goals outlined in MyDIGITAL are based on the confidence that they can empower Malaysians to face challenges head-on that the new norm had brought about. 

“After all, the goal is to create a technology-integrated society through Malaysia 5.0. Equipping people with digital capabilities is a key factor for the synergy between digital infrastructure and the digitally skilled workforce that acts as the backbone for a sustainable digital ecosystem in Malaysia. This advantage will, in turn, be the main driver for the growth of the digital economy in the future,” added Dr Rais Hussin.

Surina Shukri, Chief Executive Officer of MDEC, also commented, “Individuals with efficient digital skills such as coding, animation, Big Data analysis, machine learning, and Cloud Computing are greatly needed in driving forward the digital economy during this pandemic. In this regard, MDEC’s #SayaDigital is a timely effort that will get more people to learn digital skills. Initiatives to empower Malaysians are crucial for their digital journey as we move closer to achieve the goal of making Malaysia the Digital Heart of ASEAN.”

Cyberjaya, Malaysia – Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), the country’s government agency for leading the nation’s digital economy, has nabbed the Head of Communications at Microsoft Malaysia, Dashika Gnaneswaran, to lead its newsroom. 

As the new senior manager, Gnaneswaran will bolster the Brand and Strategic Partnerships department, bringing local and international experience through driving strategic communications and building brands by working in areas such as public affairs, social impact projects, and crisis communications as well as social media strategy. She reports directly to Raymond Siva, chief marketing officer and head of the Digital Investments division.

The appointment of Gnaneswaran comes as the agency refreshes its leadership and management structure under its ‘Reinvent’ mission, where it aims to intensify initiatives in growing the nation’s digital economy in the new normal. 

“As part of MDEC’s ‘Reinvent’ – a strategic change management exercise that was recently launched to inculcate a high-performing and high-impact organization, the agency continues to build capabilities internally while identifying the right skills for managerial roles, to ensure optimal performance of our departments,” said Surina Shukri, CEO of MDEC.

“As MDEC enables Malaysia to achieve its vision of a people-first society in the age of 4IR technology, leading to shared prosperity for all or Malaysia 5.0, we ourselves must be equipped with the right talents – globally competitive talents,” added Shukri. 

Under the move, the agency is in the mid of bringing in exceptional talents with both private and public sector experience. In the newly organized structure, Gnaneswaran’s department comes under the Digital Investments division.

At Microsoft, Gnaneswaran led communications efforts and nation-building campaigns. Her work scope included managing corporate strategy, championing brand advocacy and internal advisory, alongside building media relationships and philanthropy plans. Prior to that, she was at Malaysia’s largest financial investment institution, Kenanga Investment Bank, where she was responsible for brand management, marketing, digital communications, and investor relations.

“At MDEC we practice a continuous-learning mindset, enabling us to successfully drive high-impact digital outreach for the society and economy. Dashika brings 16 years of public and private sector experience spanning international and local organizations with her, and I am sure she will be an inspiration to the exceptional talents we currently have. I am excited to have her lead our Newsroom team and reshape the way we approach outreach and engagement with the people and industry,” said Siva.

Meanwhile, on her appointment, Gnaneswaran commented, “It is an honor to be able to serve the nation, under the strong leadership that MDEC has today. I am driven by a passion to help bridge the digital divide through transformative mindsets, innovation and inclusivity. I look forward to leveraging my experience to bring positive impact to those who can benefit with digital enablement and intervention most and I will give my fullest to support and accelerate the high impact work that MDEC does to transform the digital economy.”

MDEC’s mission to lead Malaysia’s digital economy is supported by three strategic priorities, namely, digitally skilled Malaysians, digitally powered businesses, and digital investments; driving the nation to embrace 4IR technologies or the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ which is mainly defined as the merge of advances in AI, robotics, IoT, and a whole lot other technologies.

Malaysia – The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Malaysia’s national agency tasked with leading the country’s digitization, has announced its latest virtual expo titled Go-eCommerce Expo, with the main theme “Unleash the power of live streaming e-commerce”.

MDEC said following the success of its nationwide e-Dagang Expo (eDX) in May 2020, which gathered SMEs to discuss the transition from offline to online selling, the new expo aims to continue the agency’s efforts in educating local businesses on why they should be selling online.

The Go-eCommerce Expo, which will take place from December 8 to 10, aims to promote the adoption of live streaming e-commerce as a new sales channel for Malaysian businesses. Another agenda of the expo is to also encourage live selling by imparting the latest skills, techniques, best practices, and platforms in line with it.

Among the speakers are Nur Azre, community and government relations manager from e-commerce enabler ShopLine; Jerry Hang, founder and CEO of MODEN, the first academy in Malaysia in training professional KOLs and a KOL marketing service for brands; as well as MDEC professionals themselves such as Mohd Fazreen bin Maslan and Mohd Zullutfi Abd Razak who are PeDAS heads, MDEC’s one-stop digital learning centers for MSMEs.

With logistics and payments also among the expos’ focus points, MDEC has gathered speakers from e-commerce fulfillment company TresGo Janio Asia, end-to-end electronic payment MPAY, and Visa among others.

MDEC said the event will be concluded with a LIVE Selling Carnival, featuring PeDAS participants, where viewers can purchase locally made products at deals and discounts.