PM: Good governance must underpin AI development in Malaysia

PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has emphasised that robust governance and ethical oversight must be central to Malaysia’s development of artificial intelligence (AI), warning that digital transformation without accountability risks repeating past national missteps.

Speaking at the ‘Temu Anwar’ townhall at Multimedia University (MMU) on Monday, where he also launched the university’s new Faculty of Artificial Intelligence and Engineering, Anwar said the country must learn from previous policy failures such as poorly regulated privatisation.

“Back then, it was not privatisation, it was piratisation,” said Anwar. “Without proper governance and transparency, many companies that were meant to benefit the people ended up becoming a financial burden to the government and the rakyat.”

He added, “That is why good governance must be the foundation for any digital transformation agenda, whether in computing, AI, or beyond.”

As both Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Anwar urged careful exploration of AI technologies, stressing that without rigorous planning, such advancements could be detrimental rather than beneficial to the country.

On racial unity and national stability

Anwar also addressed the importance of political stability and national unity in an era of rising digital misinformation and racial provocation.

“This is a nation of laws. We must teach and learn from other countries. No country survives when hate against race or religion is allowed to fester,” he said.

He reminded students not to fall prey to those attempting to exploit sensitive issues for divisive purposes. “Voices that incite racial hatred must not be tolerated by any side,” he warned.

When asked about the government’s commitment to preserving national unity, Anwar said political stability and racial harmony remain top priorities. He praised the younger generation’s awareness and mature outlook on the importance of unity, but cautioned against misinformation and incitement.

“There are still those who attempt to twist facts and stoke division. We must stay vigilant,” he said.

Zara Qairina’s case and misinformation

Reiterating the government's firm stance on justice, Anwar referred to the death of 13-year-old student Zara Qairina Mahathir, amid public concern and online speculation over the case.

“If it involves murder or bullying, I don’t care whose child it is. If there’s wrongdoing, we will investigate and prosecute,” he said.

He also criticised the public’s tendency to believe unverified claims on social media, referencing a viral video of a man who falsely claimed to have conducted Zara’s post-mortem.

“Why are we so gullible?” Anwar asked. “People are too quick to believe and spread such content without checking the facts. It fuels unnecessary rumours.”

His remarks come as the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and police continue to investigate the man behind the false claim, which the Health Ministry has confirmed to be baseless.

The Prime Minister’s comments underscore his broader call for responsible digital citizenship, national unity, and truth-based governance as Malaysia navigates the challenges of the AI era. - August 18, 2025