KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed optimism that the projected RM57.3 billion contribution from Amazon Web Services (AWS) to Malaysia's economy could be achieved by 2032, six years earlier than the initial target of 2038.
He said that AWS's rapid pace of development could accelerate the timeline.
"AWS' RM29.2 billion investment through the AWS (Malaysia) Region project is expected to contribute RM57.3 billion to Malaysia's GDP between 2024 and 2038.
"Given AWS' track record of surpassing its projections, I believe they can achieve this milestone by 2032 instead of 2038," he said at the AWS Malaysia Region Launch Appreciation Dinner today.
The event was also attended by Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, and AWS ASEAN managing director Jeff Johnson.
Anwar said AWS had been a steadfast partner in the country's digital transformation journey.
"The launch of the AWS Region, with its 15-year investment plan, underscores AWS's unwavering long-term commitment to Malaysia," he said, adding that AWS's investment in Malaysia is anticipated to generate over 3,500 jobs directly from new data centres.
Looking ahead to Malaysia's chairmanship of Asean next year, Anwar said advancing regional digital integration would be top priority for Malaysia.
"Malaysia's leadership in digital integration will foster collaboration among Asean nations to harmonise digital policies, standardise regulations, and enhance cross-border data flows, positioning Asean as a unified digital economy," he said.
He added that Malaysia's chairmanship would focus on strengthening cybersecurity frameworks, improving regional cooperation on digital threats, and ensuring the sustainable growth of Asean's digital economy.
Anwar also reiterated the government's commitment to establishing Malaysia as a global hub for generative artificial intelligence (AI) by bolstering the country's digital infrastructure.
"Our policies on attracting digital investments are clear. Initiatives like the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint aim to transform Malaysia into a high-income nation and a regional leader in digitalisation," he said.