Anwar: Ant International's KL hub to create jobs, boost AI and digital talent

KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 — Ant International’s decision to establish its Global Operations Centre in Kuala Lumpur will help create jobs and strengthen local capabilities, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said, as Malaysia seeks to position itself as a regional hub for digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI).

He said global digital payments, digitalisation and financial technology provider Ant International’s decision to establish its Global Operations Centre in Kuala Lumpur should advance these objectives, rather than serve as another investment milestone.

“Innovation must remain anchored in a simple principle: that the benefits of growth are broadly shared and that no community is left behind.

“This is not merely about corporate enrichment, but about people-centric progress,” he said in his speech at the inauguration of Ant International’s Global Operations Centre here on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the prime minister said while banks have been instrumental in mobilising capital and driving economic growth, the global financial system has not always served all segments equally, often leaving behind those with the least resources and opportunities.

He added that this was particularly evident in the Global South, where the financial system remains heavily dependent on the US dollar and tends to favour large multinational corporations over small business owners.

Anwar said he was encouraged by growing cooperation with China, including policy initiatives that benefit both countries, such as increased use of local currencies—the yuan and ringgit—in bilateral trade, which has risen to 18 per cent of total trade from 5 per cent previously, although the US dollar remains dominant in financial transactions.

“This shift in policy emphasis would benefit both economies and the people.

“So while the global economy has grown under this system, its interconnected nature also means that shocks in one part of the world can quickly spread across borders and affect millions elsewhere,” he said.

On AI, Anwar said the benefits of large language models (LLMs) must be balanced with safeguards to ensure digital technologies do not concentrate excessive power in the hands of a few.

“We must therefore ensure that human judgment remains at the centre of decision-making, even as machines become more capable and sophisticated,” he added.

Ant Group chief executive officer Cyril Han said Malaysia is on track to become a leading regional and global hub for digital and AI innovation.

“In the next six to 12 months, the agentic AI revolution will be in full swing, bringing a transformation in commerce that we must prepare for now, to ensure it drives both business growth and social development.

“Ant has many deep and long-term partnerships in Malaysia and the region. We stand ready to support the AI Nation 2030 vision and the digitalisation of Malaysia,” he said.

Ant International has created about 1,500 fintech jobs in Malaysia, with over 50 per cent in technology roles supporting its global AI, payments, SME digitalisation and fintech operations.

Around half of its technology workforce comprises fresh graduates from more than 30 local universities, reflecting its collaboration with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) to develop Malaysia’s digital talent pipeline. — Bernama