Malaysia’s JENDELA initiative and policy stability are drawing significant digital investments, including from BlackBerry and Leonardo, says minister
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s robust digital infrastructure and political stability are key drivers attracting technology and digital investments into the country.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil (pic) said the success of the National Digital Network (JENDELA) initiative has created a strong foundation for growth.
“With JENDELA Phase 1 and Phase 2, the national fibreisation programme has yielded tremendous results,” he told Bernama in an exclusive interview.
The RM21 billion JENDELA initiative was launched under the 12th Malaysia Plan to strengthen digital infrastructure and prepare for 5G.
Co-funded by the MCMC’s Universal Service Provision Fund and industry players, it aims to deliver nationwide broadband and enhance 4G coverage.
This positioning has made Malaysia an attractive destination for data centres and other digital investments, Fahmi noted.
Several international firms, including Canada’s BlackBerry and Italy’s Leonardo, have established regional operations here.
“Investors look not only at infrastructure and costs, but also at political and policy stability,” he emphasised.
He added that Malaysia’s neutral geopolitical stance and the MADANI Government’s administration have boosted investor confidence.
Fahmi is confident Malaysia will continue to attract significant digital investments due to its stable environment and strategic location.
On the industry’s transformation, he said telecommunication companies are evolving beyond basic connectivity.
He cited Telekom Malaysia’s shift from a traditional provider to a technology-driven company as an example.
“The future lies in how they understand customer segments and develop services that fit lifestyles and industry needs,” he said.
Malaysia’s 5G rollout has progressed rapidly since moving to a dual-network model, fostering competition.
The first 5G network now covers over 82.4% of populated areas.
The second network by UMobile has reached about 57% coverage within just a few months.
“I see in 2026, there will be a lot more cooperation and collaboration,” Fahmi said.
He predicted future competition will be driven more by innovation and service offerings than by coverage.
An estimated 60% of Malaysia’s 45 million mobile accounts are now 5G users, a rapid adoption rate.
“Some countries like South Korea took four or five years to reach about 60%. It took us about one year,” he said.
This swift adoption positions Malaysia ahead of many regional peers in digital connectivity.
The country also boasts some of the fastest internet speeds in the region and among the cheapest in the world.
Applications like WhatsApp have a penetration rate of over 94% in Malaysia, one of the highest globally.
