Pakar gesa kerajaan lebih telus mengenai projek awan AI RM2 bilion

Malaysia's cybersecurity experts have urged the government to be more transparent about the RM2 billion, AI-focused infrastructure project announced in the 2026 budget. Despite the lack of updates since its announcement last October, the project's scale demands extensive planning and execution, but the absence of information for a long period has caused uncertainty.

The overseer of a leading cybersecurity firm in Petaling Jaya emphasized the need for transparency, particularly regarding collaboration with international technology companies, as the project aims to prevent Malaysia from becoming overly reliant on foreign technology. The project, overseen by the Communications and Multimedia Commission of Malaysia, involves the development of a secure local infrastructure to safeguard critical government data and protect national security.

The experts stressed the importance of disclosing which international companies are involved in the development and the nature of the cooperation. A statement from the National Technology Industry Association's AI division, Jay Chooi, highlighted that the project's benefits depend on how well the cloud system is controlled and managed by Malaysia.

Chooi explained that well-managed cloud computing would allow all Malaysians to access AI without relying on infrastructure in other countries, especially as the technology becomes increasingly vital for the nation's income and economic life. He warned that without robust AI cloud, Malaysia would be leaving the determination of access to AI for its citizens to other countries.

Chooi emphasized that AI may soon be used to control national infrastructure such as transportation, energy, and healthcare, underscoring the critical importance of Malaysia having secure AI access through its own system. "In that case, losing access to AI suddenly could severely undermine the whole nation," Chooi warned. The Prime Minister had previously mentioned that the AI cloud would ensure Malaysia's AI capabilities while ensuring Malaysia is not merely a consumer of global technology.

The decision between a single technology provider or a more diverse approach involving multiple vendors remains unclear. Murugason advised that disclosing such information would not undermine national security. For a project of this magnitude, transparency is not just a matter of public relations but a strategic necessity. Murugason suggested that Putrajaya should publish updates on the project's progress annually, including achievements, progress, governance methods, implementation schedule, and risk management steps.

This would provide confidence to the public, investors, industry players, and international partners that the project is progressing as planned and being managed responsibly.