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THURSDAY | JAN 8, 2026

Ű BY JOHN GILBERT sunbiz@thesundaily.com

Malaysia urged to prioritise human-AI collaboration

KUALA LUMPUR: Automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping job scopes, prompting the exploration of income support mechanisms to sustain economic participation, enable reskilling and lifelong learning, and maintain stable consumer demand. For Malaysia, with the country’s youthful demographics and strong digital adoption, the situation presents a strategic opportunity. Axiata Group Bhd chairman Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan said Malaysia’s priority must be upskilling, adaptability, and human–AI collaboration. “Universal income, in this context, is not about limiting ambition; it is about enabling mobility, resilience, and broad participation in a rapidly evolving economy,” he told delegates at the CGS International 18th Annual Malaysia Corporate Day 2026 yesterday. Shahril pointed out that every major leap in economic development has been driven by breakthroughs that dramatically lowered costs and widened access in energy-powered industrialisation, telecommunications-connected markets, and computing-digitised industries. “Today, artificial intelligence is emerging as the next great multiplier. AI transforms intelligence into an on-demand economic resource: one that accelerates decision-making, improves productivity, and amplifies innovation. “This shift unlocks three critical advantages, namely, scalable productivity where output can grow without a linear increase in manpower; step-change efficiency where tasks once requiring days or weeks can now be accomplished within minutes. “Further, the speed and adaptability, where the ability to learn, iterate, and deploy insights faster than competitors becomes the new strategic differentiator. “And importantly, this is not about replacing people. It is about augmenting human capability, enhancing our judgement, creativity and care,” said Shahril, who is also an independent non-executive director PETALING JAYA: Prasarana Malaysia Bhd’s procurement of 26 new train sets for the Kelana Jaya Line has been awarded to China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC), said Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook. “We are working very closely with China on train procurement. That is why the new procurement of 26 train sets for the Kelana Jaya Line has been awarded to CRRC following a tender process,” he told reporters after Prasarana’s presentation of its 2025 infrastructure performance report and 2026 planning plan yesterday. The first train set is expected to be delivered in September 2028. The Kelana Jaya Line is Prasarana’s Ű BY HAYATUN RAZAK sunbiz@thesundaily.com

(From left): Khairi Shahrin, Shahril, CGS International Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd former CEO Azizah Mohd Yatim and CGS International Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd country head Alan Inn.

o Youthful demographics and strong digital adoption present strategic opportunity for CGS International Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd. Moving on, Shahril said, capital markets are already signalling the direction of travel, with investors increasingly valuing organisations based on their ability to leverage data, their adoption of AI-driven processes, and their capacity for long-term innovation. “Since 2025, we have seen capital gravitating toward companies that demonstrate scalable intelligence, operational agility, and robust digital infrastructure. “This is a positive sign. Markets reward future-ready capabilities. For Malaysia, it reinforces our national aspiration to move up the value chain, attract high-quality investments, and strengthen regional competitiveness.” Touching on key sectors in Malaysia impacted by AI from 2025, Shahril said, that for the financial services sector, AI is enhancing risk assessment, compliance, and customer experience. “Institutions are deploying AI to reduce friction, elevate governance standards, and deliver personalised services, fortifying resilience and competitiveness,” he added. For the telecommunications sector, Shahril noted that the domestic telcos are moving well beyond traditional connectivity to become digital infrastructure enablers. busiest route and has faced recurring service disruptions in recent years. Under Budget 2026, the government has allocated RM1 billion for the replacement of the 26 new LRT train sets on the Kelana Jaya Line. The Line is currently undergoing Level 4 and Level 5 maintenance covering rolling stock, signalling, communications and track infrastructure, with 13 special maintenance programmes planned until project completion. System upgrades in progress include radio communications, signalling and tunnel ventilation systems, while new initiatives include platform automatic gates, passenger information system upgrades and enhancements to the public address system.

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across automation, cybersecurity, energy transition, and digital infrastructure, which business models will translate into real earnings, and what universal income could mean for future consumption and growth. “These questions are no longer abstract considerations. They are now directly shaping capital allocation decisions, valuation multiples, and long-term returns across markets, underscoring the strategic importance of clarity and execution in an AI- and data-driven economic landscape,” he said. He said Malaysia stands at a critical crossroads, with a strong manufacturing base, a growing digital economy, deeper capital markets, and policies that are driving high-value sectors such as semiconductors, renewable energy, data centres, and financial digitisation. “But the real frontier is not just data, Deliveries for the vans are expected to begin in December 2026, with full completion extending into 2028. However, Loke noted that the approved development expenditure does not fully cover charging infrastructure for the expanded electric vehicle fleet. As a result, Prasarana will seek alternative funding sources and explore installing EV chargers at LRT and MRT stations to support long term operations. He said Prasarana’s focus in 2026 is on delivering more consistent, safe and user-friendly public transport services, covering both rail and bus operations under the Rapid KL and Rapid Penang brands. “Public transport remains an

He said AI is accelerating demand for low-latency networks, edge computing, and data-driven enterprise solutions, supporting the rise of smart cities, automation, and next-generation digital services. “When paired with advanced connectivity such as 5G, AI will materially reshape enterprise productivity, innovation, and customer experience. “We are already seeing this play out at scale in markets like China, offering valuable lessons for the region,” he said. CGS International Securities Malaysia CEO Khairi Shahrin Arief Baki said that for investors and corporates alike, the central challenge today is not access to innovation but discernment. This includes determining which technologies will scale sustainably, which companies are prepared for intelligence-driven competition Beyond rail, the government has also approved RM1.1 billion in development expenditure under RMK13-RP1 to support the next phase of bus fleet expansion. This includes a RM851 million allocation for 645 electric buses, comprising 258 large buses and 387 smaller units, with 480 buses allocated to Rapid KL and 165 to Rapid Penang. The letter of award is targeted for March 2027, with deliveries scheduled through December 2028. Prasarana has also secured approval for 300 electric vans valued at RM158 million and 100 Rapid Mobility vans worth RM37 million, which will be deployed across Rapid KL and Rapid Penang to improve on-demand and first- and last-mile connectivity.

deploying capital intelligently. “For corporates, this means moving beyond incremental efficiency gains to strategic reinvention – using data, automation, and AI to enhance productivity, resilience, and governance. “For investors, it means reassessing traditional benchmarks and risk framework – recognising that intangible assets, intellectual capital, and execution capability now matter as much as balance sheets,” he said. Over 200 delegates, investors, and guests attended the CGS International corporate day. Various panel discussions were also held, with topics such as The Future of Malaysians – Social Implications & Safety Nets , The Ringgit Boost – Implications for 2026 , The Role of Carbon Tax in Malaysi a and Fireside Chat: Balancing Growth, Fiscal, and the Global , among others. increasingly attractive option as it helps shorten travel time and reduce daily living costs.” Under Budget 2026, the government will continue the My50 unlimited travel pass subsidy, which Loke said is expected to attract more users. “The average number of My50 users currently stands at about 260,000 per month, with commuters paying only RM50, while the remaining RM100 is subsidised by the government,” he said. Loke added that improving operational efficiency for both rail and bus services remains a priority. “Successful implementation of dedicated bus lanes has already helped reduce travel times along key corridors.”

Prasarana’s procurement of 26 train sets awarded to China’s CRRC