Malaysia at the Heart of ASEAN’s $2 Trillion Digital Future (And Why the North Matters More Than Ever)
ASEAN is entering a defining decade. With the region’s digital economy projected to reach US$2 trillion, the focus is shifting from growth alone to where and how digital infrastructure is built.
Positioned between Thailand and Singapore, Malaysia is emerging as a critical interconnection bridge, enabling seamless cross-border data flows, ultra-low-latency connectivity and regulatory certainty across ASEAN.
Why This Whitepaper Matters
As the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) moves towards implementation, digital infrastructure, including data centres and Internet Exchanges (IXs), is becoming as essential as physical transport networks.
This whitepaper explores:
How DEFA will reshape cross-border digital trade
Why Northern Malaysia is evolving into a regional digital gateway
The strategic role of the Delapan Project in Kedah
How interconnection supports cloud, AI and inclusive regional growth
Key Insight: ASEAN will operate as a unified digital market of 680 million people by 2026, demanding trusted, low-latency interconnection across borders.
Read the Full Whitepaper
This article provides a preview of the full whitepaper by Mr. Wong Weng Yew, Member of the Board of Management, DE-CIX Malaysia (Featured in Utusan Malaysia, December 2025).