SALUTATION

1. Yang Berusaha Tuan Aznan Abdul Aziz

Deputy Governor, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM)

2. Mr Novan Amirudin Group

Chief Executive Officer, CIMB Group

3. Mr Gurdip Singh Sidhu

Chief Executive Officer, CIMB Malaysia

4. Mr Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff

Chief Executive Officer, CIMB Islamic & CIMB Foundation

5. Mr Mansor Kesot @ Ali

General Manager (Operations & Business Development Division), Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK)

Distinguished Guests,

Members of the Media,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Salam Perpaduan, Salam Malaysia MADANI and a very good Afternoon.

1. I would like to thank CIMB for having me be here today.

2. I am delighted to witness the birth of an initiative for Malaysians of all walks, including from underserved communities. The rakyat must always be at the heart of our nation’s digital progress.

3. The digital era that we’re in today offers a plethora of opportunities. It is only right for Malaysians to quickly adapt to digital technology such as Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI), while navigating rising geopolitical shifts. The responsibility is on all of us to ensure no Malaysian is left behind, in our quest to turn the country into a digital nation.

ASPIRASI KERAJAAN UNTUK MENGEMBANGKAN EKONOMI DIGITAL MALAYSIA Tuan-tuan dan puan-puan sekalian,

4. Kerajaan MADANI serius dalam usahanya untuk menjadikan Malaysia sebuah negara digital. Ini terbukti melalui penubuhan Kementerian Digital, yang telah saya terajui sejak tahun 2023.

5. Pelbagai inisiatif dan usaha telah dilaksanakan oleh pihak Kementerian Digital serta agensi-agensinya. Ini termasuk memperkukuhkan undang-undang sedia ada dan menggubal yang 3 baharu seperti Akta Keselamatan Siber dan Akta Perkongsian Data.

6. Kami juga telah melancarkan Pejabat Kecerdasan Buatan (AI) Kebangsaan (NAIO) pada Disember 2024. NAIO telah ditugaskan untuk memantapkan lagi ekosistem AI dan telah ditugaskan untuk menyerahkan cadangannya mengenai perundangan AI di Malaysia.

7. Terdapat juga kerangka dan pelan tindakan kebangsaan seperti Kerangka Ekonomi Digital dan Majlis Ekonomi Digital dan Revolusi Perindustrian Keempat Negara. Usaha-usaha ini telah menyumbang kepada perkembangan sektor teknologi digital Malaysia.

8. Seperti yang saya nyatakan pada acara pagi tadi, Malaysia telah menarik pelaburan digital berjumlah RM310.7 bilion dari 2021 hingga Mac 2025. Ini menunjukkan bahawa Malaysia sememangnya hab infrastruktur digital yang berkembang pesat di rantau ini.

9. Untuk memanfaatkan ekosistem digital kita, Kementerian Digital dan agensi-agensinya telah menawarkan pelbagai program, dan peluang peningkatan kemahiran untuk individu, dan perniagaan. Ini adalah untuk membolehkan rakyat Malaysia terlibat secara aktif dan langsung dalam ekonomi digital kita.

10. Jika anda seorang pengusaha kedai runcit di Serendah, anda boleh mempelajari bagaimana dunia digital mampu meningkatkan 4 perniagaan anda melalui program eUsahawan Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).

11. Kementerian Digital juga telah melancarkan Business Digitalisation Initiative (BDI) pada bulan April yang lalu. Ia bagi membekalkan perniagaan mikro, kecil dan sederhana (PMKS) dengan kemahiran dan peralatan yang diperlukan untuk transformasi digital. BDI disokong oleh dana campuran berjumlah RM1.5 bilion dan merangkumi penyelesaian digital freemium bagi mengurangkan kos menjalankan perniagaan serta akses kepada ekosistem bersepadu yang merangkumi kerjasama sektor awam dan swasta.

12. Jika anda inginkan bantuan untuk membuka laman web baharu, rakan-rakan di MyNIC sedia membantu.

13. Apa yang ingin saya ketengahkan di sini ialah Kementerian Digital mempunyai pelbagai inisiatif untuk membantu semua lapisan Masyarakat Malaysia bergerak ke hadapan dalam mengharungi era digital ini.

EMPOWERING DIGITAL LITERACY WITHIN SOCIETY

Ladies and gentlemen,

14. Digitalisation is key to nation building. While digitalisation continues to accelerate growth in all aspects of the economy especially in banking and finance, it is imperative that the 5 government and the financial institutions ensure that no Malaysian is left behind in the digital economy.

15. We can have the best programmes, infrastructure and initiatives, but how do we get people to embrace digital technology in their daily lives?

16. The first step is to empower them with digital literacy. We aim to reach as many Malaysians as possible through education, and show them how digital empowerment can positively impact their lives.

17. The Ministry of Digital has done so through our Jelajah Malaysia Digital series. I’ve been involved in several of the series, including the event in Sibu last month. I have seen how our initiatives have impacted our friends — from Perlis to Sabah.

18. We also have ‘AI Untuk Rakyat’, a programme that introduces AI to Malaysians. Over 1.3 million Malaysians have completed the programme thus far, and the number is growing.

19. Digital empowerment uplifts communities by providing access to information, fostering collaboration, and enabling community-led development. By improving digital skills and knowledge, communities can leverage technology to address local challenges, adapt to change, and improve their overall well-being.

20. This is why banks today must not only be financial enablers, but also digital advocates and guardians. I am pleased to note that CIMB and its subsidiary Touch N Go Digital are doing just that. You are providing not just banking convenience but also education and awareness about digital literacy that can uplift communities in navigating today’s financial landscape with confidence and ease.

21. Banks should not operate in isolation from the public as they are meant to serve, not just generate returns. I am pleased to hear Novan say earlier that CIMB’s Kita Bagi Jadi Komuniti programme aims to actively promote economic empowerment and financial inclusion among the unbanked, underserved, MSMEs and the vulnerable communities, in order to deliver meaningful social impact.

22. Kudos to CIMB for taking a proactive role in empowering our communities. These efforts not only promote socioeconomic mobility but also support national productivity and long-term resilience.

23. I hope to see more industry players do the same, and to continue serving the people, community and the planet while working collaboratively to ensure all Malaysians are part of the country’s digital transformation.

24. Before I take leave, allow me to congratulate CIMB for this timely and forward-looking initiative. Kita Bagi Jadi Komuniti reflects your commitment to your customers, and to Malaysia’s broader national vision that is built on trust, equity, and innovation for all.

25. By helping communities in-need, we can develop a progressive, prosperous and digital-savvy Malaysia.

Thank you.

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