LEMON BLOG

The Malaysian government is once again taking bold steps toward strengthening the nation's digital infrastructure. During the Budget 2026 announcement, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim unveiled an ambitious plan — the development of the Madani Submarine Cable System, or SALAM. This project will be spearheaded by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and represents a major leap toward enhancing connectivity across the country, particularly between Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak.

If you've been paying the unsubsidised price of RM2.60 for RON95 even though you're eligible for BUDI95, you're not alone. After early rollout hiccups—including brief system outages—some motorists were charged the full price at the pump. The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Deputy Minister, Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh, says you can claim the difference back.

The Malaysian government is currently reviewing the possibility of introducing a sovereign cloud policy as part of efforts to strengthen data security and protect the nation's digital sovereignty, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil revealed.

Malaysia is setting its sights high for the future — and artificial intelligence (AI) is right at the center of it. In the recently tabled 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim laid out a comprehensive roadmap to transform the nation into an "inclusive and sustainable" AI-driven country by 2030. But what does this actually mean for Malaysians, businesses, and the broader region?

2024 wasn't just another year in tech—it was a year that tested Malaysia's digital resilience. From a spike in ransomware to high-profile data breaches and a landmark cybersecurity law, it's clear that cyber threats are no longer something we can afford to ignore.

So let's unpack what really happened, using real stats and some straight talk—because understanding this stuff isn't just for IT folks anymore.