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PUTRAJAYA is seeking to transform government-linked companies (GLCs) into strategic drivers of national development, prioritising digital innovation, energy transition, and high-tech food security as part of the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13).
Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the plan aims to leverage the scale, capital, and market access of GLCs to catalyse investment, foster innovation, and create broad economic spillovers.
The seminar convened policymakers, state development agencies, investors, corporate leaders, academics, and industry stakeholders to translate national policy into actionable business strategies.
Delivering the keynote address at the Strategic Mapping of GLC Opportunities Seminar in Putrajaya today, Akmal said: “GLCs must do more than operate in the market. They must act as catalysts for investment, open new ecosystems, and instil confidence in the market,” he said.
“They must boldly enter strategic sectors, develop local vendors, support innovation, transfer technology, and generate wider benefits for SMEs, startups, universities, and domestic industry players.”
The minister highlighted the urgency of the strategy amid global economic uncertainty, rising costs of living, rapid technological change, and climate pressures.
Malaysia’s economy expanded by 5.2 per cent in 2025, with fourth-quarter growth reaching 6.3 per cent. Approvals for investment hit a record RM426.7 billion, expected to generate nearly 245,000 new jobs.
“Confidence in Malaysia’s economy is not only coming from abroad; it is driven by domestic investors’ belief in the nation’s future,” Akmal said.
“Entering 2026, key economic indicators remain stable, but good numbers today do not guarantee strength tomorrow.”
The minister outlined three priority areas for GLCs under RMK13: digital economy and artificial intelligence, energy transition and low-carbon initiatives, and high-tech agro-food industries to strengthen food security.
In his speech, he called for coordinated action across government, GLCs, private sector players, universities, vocational training institutions, and financial bodies to accelerate investment, build talent, and implement innovation.
“In the new economy, data is an asset, talent is the engine, and AI is the productivity accelerator,” he said.
“A successful energy transition does not just cut carbon; it creates jobs, attracts investment, and adds value to the national economy. Food security is not just about supply; it is about price stability, citizens’ livelihoods, and national dignity.”
Akmal also urged the media to communicate policies clearly, stressing that national resilience depends not only on strong policy but also on public confidence in implementation.
“Geopolitics may be beyond our control, but the economic resilience of the nation must remain within our control,” he said. “RMK13 is not about who talks most about the future; it is about who dares to build it.”
By inaugurating the seminar, the minister signalled Malaysia’s ambition to build a more resilient, innovative, and higher-value economy, with GLCs at the forefront of driving national growth. - March 31, 2026