KUALA LUMPUR: The 2025 Budget's investment in people and solutions positions Malaysia for technological leadership, according to BlackBerry Cybersecurity APAC vice president Tash Stamatelos.
"Skills and security were key themes in today's Budget. Malaysia's additional RM1 billion investment in strategic funds to enhance local talent and support high-value commercial ventures will ensure the nation has the necessary capabilities to meet its digitalisation ambitions," he said.
He added that the allocation of RM50 million to expand artificial intelligence (AI)-related education at research universities, along with RM20 million to UiTM to produce more electrical and electronic (E&E) engineers, highlights the government's commitment to boosting participation in critical growth sectors like semiconductors.
"With 2025 designated as the Year of Skills, prioritising the development of a highly skilled, future-ready workforce is rightly a major focus," Stamatelos said.
He added that the investment strategically positions Malaysia as it prepares for its upcoming chairmanship of Asean.
Stamatelos said BlackBerry looks forward to supporting Malaysia as it accelerates its digital transformation with these critical investments in cybersecurity, secure communications and artificial intelligence (AI).