NEW DELHI: Malaysia’s Digital Minister, Gobind Singh Deo, has called for the adoption of a “modular” regional framework to address the varying levels of digital maturity across Southeast Asia, ensuring that no nation is left behind in the rapid global shift toward artificial intelligence (AI).
Speaking at the Ministerial Panel: ‘International AI Safety Coordination: What Policymakers Need To Know’ held during the India AI Impact Summit 2026, the Gobind highlighted the “Asean gap,” noting that a one-size-fits-all approach to AI regulation and development is not feasible “given that our regional neighbours are at different stages of development.”
Instead, he urged Asean Member States to align on ultimate goals while allowing for different starting points and paces of development, ensuring that the public sector progresses safely as the industry moves at a rapid pace.
During the summit, Gobind also spotlighted Malaysia’s digital successes to date, specifically the establishment of the National AI Office (NAIO) and the National Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence Governance and Ethics (AIGE).
These initiatives are intended to further pave the way for the nation’s digital progress while providing a structured moral and operational compass. He also emphasised the need to treat AI training for government officials as a long-term national asset, ensuring that leadership remains equipped to manage the complexities of emerging technologies.
While in India, Gobind held a bilateral meeting with Ashwini Vaishnaw, India’s Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology.
The discussions centred on advancing collaboration through the Malaysia–India Digital Council (MIDC), with a strong emphasis on deepening startup engagement and accelerating cross-border innovation. Gobind noted that recent visits by Indian CEOs and companies to Malaysia have sparked positive momentum, opening new conversations on how both nations can work more closely in the technology space.
The two ministers explored how the MIDC can serve as a platform to include startups from both countries in joint initiatives, thereby broadening global market access and creating structured pathways for innovation exchange.
Malaysia reaffirmed its readiness to connect Indian startups with its local digital ecosystem, enabling entry into new sectors and facilitating long-term partnerships. Beyond the startup ecosystem, the discussions also addressed the future of the semiconductor sector and the critical importance of supply chain security in supporting growing global technology demands.
Gobind reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to deepening digital cooperation with India to drive shared progress. He noted that these conversations reflect a shared ambition to build resilient, future-ready ecosystems that harness technology for the benefit of both nations.