Tech Diplomacy Global 50

H.E.Gobind Singh Deo

Minister of Digital
Malaysia

Gobind Singh Deo is Malaysia’s inaugural Minister of Digital, a portfolio established in late 2023 to consolidate and accelerate the nation’s technological trajectory. A distinguished lawyer by profession, Gobind has seamlessly integrated legal precision with forward-thinking policy to establish Malaysia as the “Digital Heart of ASEAN”. His leadership is defined by a commitment to “Digital Trust”, ensuring that as the nation embraces the Fourth Industrial Revolution, it remains anchored in robust governance and inclusivity. He is also confident of making Malaysia an AI Nation by 2030 as envisioned in the 13th Malaysian Plan.

Strategic Leadership & Governance
Since assuming his role, Gobind has spearheaded the most comprehensive legislative overhaul in Malaysia’s digital history. He successfully navigated the passage of the Cyber Security Act 2024 and the Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2024, aligning Malaysia’s privacy standards with global benchmarks. In 2025, he introduced the Data Sharing Act to facilitate secure inter-agency data exchange and launched the National Cloud Policy to prioritize a “Cloud-First” public sector. This is set to continue this year (2026) with the introduction of laws on AI Governance, Digital Infrastructure and Data Commission. Also in the pipeline is the introduction of a National Blockchain Policy.

To future-proof the economy, he established the National AI Office (NAIO) and the ASEAN AI Safety Network, initiatives that contributed to his recognition in the prestigious 2026 ‘The Government AI 100’ list by Apolitical, honoring the top 100 global leaders driving responsible AI in government.

Global Tech Diplomacy
As a key figure during Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship, Gobind elevated the nation’s status as a regional digital hub. He presided over the ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting and hosted landmark international forums, including the Asian AI Summit 2025, Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur (SCEKL) and Malaysia Digital Xceleration (MDX) Summit. His representation of Malaysia at the World Economic Forum (Davos 2025 & 2026) has been instrumental in articulating Malaysia’s vision for ethical AI-driven growth and securing high-value global tech partnerships.

The People-First Philosophy
Rooted in his background as a human rights advocate, Gobind’s “Digital for All” mission ensures that technology serves as a tool for social equity. He has overseen massive upskilling initiatives, such as AI@Work and Rakyat Digital, to prepare the Malaysian workforce for high-value digital roles. Under his watch, GovTech is being rolled out to digitalise government services. Building on his legacy as the former Minister of Communications and Multimedia (2018–2020), where he successfully democratized high-speed internet access, he continues to champion digitalisation as a fundamental utility for all citizens.

Education Background & Legacy
A graduate of the University of Warwick and a Barrister of Lincoln’s Inn, Gobind was one of Malaysia’s top constitutional and human rights lawyers. This background is evident in his insistence that digital transformation must be balanced with individual rights and robust governance. He also continues to fight for institutional reforms in the government so everyone is treated fair and equal.