DIGITAL infrastructure has evolved from a supporting layer into the backbone of national efficiency and global competitiveness, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said, as Malaysia steps up efforts to strengthen trust and security across its digital ecosystem.
Speaking at a memorandum of understanding event for MyDigital ID themed “Powering Trusted Access Across Malaysia’s Digital Ecosystem”, Zahid said the world is undergoing a phase of transformation that is no longer gradual but continuous, rapid and unpredictable.
“We are living in a time where change is no longer incremental; it is continuous, fast and unexpected,” he said on Thursday.
He noted that such shifts are reshaping not only how people live and work, but fundamentally how trust is established in everyday life.
Technology, he added, has moved beyond being a mere support tool to becoming the primary enabler of modern society, spanning financial transactions, public services, education and business operations.
“This evolution is becoming increasingly complex. Trust, once built through physical interaction, is now being tested in a borderless digital space that moves rapidly and exposes users to sudden risks,” he said.
Zahid stressed that the government must act decisively to ensure digital progress delivers tangible benefits while safeguarding citizens from emerging threats.
“An open digital ecosystem increases risks such as online fraud, identity theft and data misuse. These have direct consequences for society, including loss of savings, business disruptions and institutions facing widespread threats.”
“The fundamental question is whether people can trust digital systems. Without trust, digital progress will be hindered,” he said.
He underscored that security and identity verification must be treated as a national responsibility, with systems built on strong governance, clear accountability and integrity.
“MyDigital ID becomes a critical foundation in ensuring how people interact quickly and safely in the digital world,” he said.
“What was once considered a convenience is now a necessity. People no longer ask whether digital services exist; they expect them to be fast, seamless and easily accessible,” he added.
At the same event, MyDigital ID chairman Datuk Raja Nushirwan Zainal Abidin reaffirmed that security remains the system’s core principle.
He said the platform has shifted away from conventional password-based authentication towards stronger cryptographic methods, supported by real-time protection operating discreetly in the background.
“This includes detecting compromised devices, identifying abnormal and high-risk environments, and preventing potential manipulation before it occurs,” he said.
Nushirwan noted that while users may not immediately notice these safeguards, they would benefit from them consistently.
“This is because trust must be accompanied by uncompromising discipline,” he said. - May 1, 2026
