Anuar Fariz Fadzil
Anuar Fariz Fadzil, currently Head of TikTok’s Head of Public Policy (Malaysia), has joined the new chief executive of the state-run Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), starting today.
He replaces Mahadhir Aziz, who stepped down from the role a month after he was appointed the CEO on September 01.
The announcement, first reported by The Star, was made by MDEC chairman Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh at the Malaysia Digital Content Festival 2024 event in Kuala Lumpur. According to Noh, the new role offers Fadzil a fascinating opportunity to be in the digital economy.
According to Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, Fadzil has a lot of work to do moving ahead.
The MDEC, a government agency under the purview of the Ministry of Digital, was established in 1996 to lead Malaysia’s digital economy. The agency aims to upskill Malaysians to be digitally savvy, provide digitalisation support to businesses, support tech companies in expanding internationally, and drive investment in the digital economy.
By offering incentives and governance for development and re-investment, it aspires to bolster Malaysia’s status as the digital hub of ASEAN.
On September 23, the MDEC launched this year’s Investor Matching Programme, a key initiative aimed at connecting tech startups with a vast network of investors. Since its inception in 2020, the programme has facilitated over US$300 million in capital matching, significantly supporting the growth of Malaysia’s digital economy.
Aligned with the Malaysia Digital national strategic initiative, the programme is designed to create a more accessible investment landscape, simplify capital access for startups, drive innovation, and contribute to the nation’s digital transformation goals.
Through the Investor Matching Programme, startups are strategically paired with investors based on specific criteria, such as investment amount and industry focus, ensuring tailored and effective partnerships. Beyond investment opportunities, the programme provides valuable mentorship from experienced investors, accelerating the growth of participating startups.
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