On May 21, 2025, Malaysia’s Ministry of International Trade and Industry issued a statement distancing the government from an artificial intelligence (AI) project involving local company Skyvast Corporation and Huawei Technologies. The ministry clarified that the initiative was neither developed, coordinated, nor endorsed by the Malaysian government and was not part of any government-to-government agreements or nationally mandated technology programs. (reuters.com)
This clarification came in response to media reports highlighting Skyvast’s use of Huawei’s chips in their AI project. The government’s statement aimed to address concerns regarding the project’s association with Huawei, a company that has faced scrutiny from Western nations over security and espionage allegations. (benarnews.org)
The Malaysian government’s distancing from the Skyvast-Huawei AI project reflects the delicate balance the country seeks to maintain between fostering technological advancements and addressing international security concerns. While Malaysia continues to engage with Huawei in other sectors, such as telecommunications and AI collaborations with companies like Maxis, it remains cautious about projects that could attract geopolitical tensions. (maxis.com.my)
This development underscores the complexities Malaysia faces in navigating its technological partnerships, balancing domestic innovation with international relations and security considerations.
