22/07/2026 07:18 PM

World Bank To Continue Supporting Malaysia’s Digital Govt Agenda

PUTRAJAYA, July 22 (Bernama) -- The World Bank remains committed to supporting Malaysia as it advances its digital transformation agenda by sharing international experience, providing analytical support, facilitating knowledge exchange and working alongside the government to turn recommendations into action.

World Bank country manager for Malaysia, Judith Green said the institution greatly values the trust placed in it by the Malaysian government and looks forward to continuing the partnership in the years ahead.

Speaking at the launch of the Malaysia GovTech Flagship Report titled ‘Building Malaysia’s Future Government: Unlocking Public Sector Productivity with GovTech’ here today, Green said Malaysia has already laid the foundations for the next phase of its digital transformation journey.

She added that the country is well placed to become a global example of how GovTech translates digital ambition into better public service delivery.

She highlighted that the report recommends that Malaysia advance reforms across four strategic pillars -- Platforms, Policies, People and Participation -- to ensure GovTech investments translate into real improvements in government efficiency, citizens’ trust and societal inclusion.

The report recommends integrated and interoperable platforms that reduce duplication; policies that ensure accountability and translate technology into credible reforms; people with the digital skills to drive and sustain transformation; and participation, where citizens, businesses and agencies are engaged through feedback and co-design to make services more trusted and inclusive.

“Through these four pillars, Malaysia can ensure GovTech becomes not only a tool for efficiency, but also a catalyst for sustainable growth and shared prosperity. The momentum is already here... the task now is to sustain it and deliver the ‘digital dividends’ for all Malaysians,” she said.

Green noted that Malaysia has made significant progress on its digital government agenda through investments in digital infrastructure, shared platforms such as MyGovCloud and interoperable data systems.

She shared that the establishment of the Digital Ministry has provided a clear focal point to lead and coordinate Malaysia’s digital transformation strategy, while the new GovTech Malaysia unit will help accelerate implementation and deliver whole-of-government digital solutions.

She said the country’s institutional foundation has also been strengthened through the continued expansion of MyDigital ID, the National Cloud Computing Policy, the Malaysia Digital 2030 Action Plan and the establishment of the National AI Office.

However, Green said global experience shows that digital investments alone are insufficient, noting that technology must be matched by what the report describes as ‘the analog complements’, comprising robust institutions, effective coordination mechanisms, transparent data policies and practices, and a digitally capable public service.

Without these elements, she said the promise of GovTech risks being diluted, particularly as citizens’ expectations continue to rise.

On the other hand, Green said the World Bank is encouraged by the Public Service Reform Agenda (ARPA), championed by the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, which focuses on governance, human capital and service delivery.

She noted that Malaysia’s rise to 15th place in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking -- its best performance in a decade -- was driven notably by an 11-place leap in government efficiency, showing that the reforms are already bearing fruit.

-- BERNAMA

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