Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah says plans for the Central Database Hub will be unveiled next month to strengthen data-driven policy under the 13th Malaysia Plan.
PUTRAJAYA: The government will unveil detailed plans for expanding the Central Database Hub (PADU) by the end of April, aiming to strengthen its data-driven approach in line with the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir stated that the move is being refined to ensure PADU remains the main platform for supporting government policies and programmes more comprehensively.
He emphasised that PADU remains a crucial component for ensuring every government decision is based on data, not only for current implementation but also for future improvements.
“At the same time, the current implementation is still based on the existing system to avoid confusion and ensure focus on current implementation,” he told reporters after officiating a seminar here.
The minister noted that PADU’s mandate to support data-based policy implementation involves cross-ministerial collaboration with several key ministries.
“PADU cannot be tied to just one government programme, and more importantly, we need to further develop its potential,” he added.
Speaking at the Strategic Opportunity Mapping Seminar for Government-Linked Companies (GLCs), Akmal Nasrullah stressed that the role of GLCs now needs to be strengthened as the main catalyst for investment and economic growth.
He said GLCs must be investment catalysts, ecosystem openers and market confidence generators rather than ordinary market players.
The minister outlined that GLCs need to boldly explore strategic sectors, drive new investments and support innovation to create broader economic spillovers for local industries.
Commenting on 13MP priorities, he highlighted three strategic areas requiring serious attention from GLCs and industry partners.
The first area is the digital economy and artificial intelligence, where Malaysia must shift from being a technology consumer to a value creator.
“We need to accelerate investments in digital infrastructure, data centres, industrial automation, big data analytics and AI applications that can increase productivity in the public and private sectors,” he said.
He added that talent development must be strengthened through collaboration so the local workforce can develop its own technology solutions.
The second strategic area is the energy transition and low-carbon economy, which needs acceleration in line with the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR).
He emphasised the importance of renewable energy, smart grids, electric vehicle infrastructure, green financing and carbon markets.
The third area is food security and the development of a high-tech agro-food industry, where the sector must shift to a more modern and technology-based approach to increase national resilience.
