Malaysia Must Shed Old Bureaucracy to Embrace AI, Says Prime Minister

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has strongly advocated for a swift dismantling of old bureaucratic systems that impede the rapid adoption of new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI). He warned that Malaysia must accelerate its pace in innovation and commercialization to remain competitive on the global stage.

Speaking at the National Innovation and Commercialization Expo (NICE 2026), Anwar highlighted Malaysia's capacity for rapid advancement, citing the establishment of an AI faculty in just three months as evidence. He emphasized that clinging to outdated methods would leave the country behind, especially as other nations forge ahead with AI and quantum computing expertise.

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We cannot follow the old ways anymore; we must step forward quickly.

"We cannot follow the old ways anymore; we must step forward quickly," Anwar stated, underscoring the necessity of speed in the current post-normal era. He also stressed that emerging technologies should not be confined to a small elite but made accessible to a wider audience, including integration into school and university curricula.

The Prime Minister criticized the slow pace of traditional academic and administrative processes, contrasting it with the immediate implementation of the AI faculty. He argued that the lengthy procedures involved in establishing new departments or faculties, which can take up to a year, are no longer viable in today's fast-paced world. Anwar called for a more agile approach to education and technological integration to ensure Malaysia harnesses the full potential of these transformative fields.

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Why should AI be the property of a small group? Why can't we expose it to the public?