The UAE’s Presight has signed a partnership agreement with Malaysia Madani Artificial Intelligence (MMAI Technologies SDN. BHD.), a wholly owned entity of the Malaysian Government, to drive digital transformation in Malaysia.
The agreement was formally exchanged at the ASEAN-GCC Economic Forum 2025, in the presence of His Excellency Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, His Excellency Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Minister of Home Affairs of Malaysia, and Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42.
The collaboration represents a key step in AI collaboration between the UAE and Malaysia, and marks Presight’s first major initiative in the South-east Asia region. By leveraging advanced AI and sovereign cloud infrastructure, the partnership aims to improve national security, enhance government efficiency, and drive data-powered governance through joint initiatives.
“This agreement exemplifies our commitment to using Applied AI to create tangible national impact. By partnering with MMAI, we are not only accelerating Malaysia’s journey towards becoming a digitally advanced, AI-enabled economy, but also laying the foundation for long-term innovation, efficiency, and resilience across critical sectors. From secure data infrastructure to enhanced AI and analytics for key Malaysian agencies, we’re pleased to bring cutting-edge solutions that drive real progress. This collaboration reflects our shared belief that technology, when used responsibly and strategically, can be a catalyst for transformative change. We commend the leadership of Malaysia for their vision to enable economic growth through strategic investment in AI nation-building projects.”
His Excellency Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Minister of Home Affairs of Malaysia, commented that, “This partnership is uniquely strengthened by the UAE’s proactive and pioneering efforts in artificial intelligence. Having embarked on its AI journey early, the UAE has made significant strides in both the practical application of AI technologies and the development of comprehensive governance frameworks. This rich experience, embodied by Presight, offers an invaluable foundation for Malaysia’s own AI ambitions. The UAE’s journey in AI, marked by its progressive policies and robust implementation, provides a powerful precedent. Through this partnership with Presight, Malaysia gains access to world-class expertise that will propel our nation forward, aligning perfectly with our Malaysia Madani vision for a technologically advanced and digitally sovereign future.”
Saifuddin Nasution Ismail also added that the partnership strengthen the UAE-Malaysia bilateral relationship, positioning both nations as key contributors to the evolving global AI applications ecosystem.
The agreement supports the strategic objectives of Malaysia’s MADANI economic framework, launched by His Excellency Anwar Ibrahim in July 2023. The initiative aims to enhance Malaysia’s economy by fostering sustainable development, fair wealth distribution, and robust investment in innovation.
This announcement follows an MoU signed in Abu Dhabi on 13 January 2025, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and His Excellency Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia. The agreement highlighted a shared commitment to enhancing national safety, public security, and government efficiency through AI.
This partnership also builds on the UAE-Malaysia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed in October 2024. Bilateral non-oil trade between the two nations reached $2.5 billion in the first half of 2024, a 7 percent year-on-year increase, highlighting the deepening ties.
Furthermore, Thomas Pramotedham participated in a panel discussion titled “AI Impact Across Industries” at the ASEAN-GCC Economic Forum, sharing insights on the role of AI in transforming sectors around the world and driving meaningful, real-world outcomes.
