Malaysia’s artificial intelligence ambitions took a visible step forward this week as Strateq Group (Strateq), one of the nation’s longest-standing tech integrators turned digital solutions firm, hosted the Strateq AI Forum 2026.
Held on January 27, the forum brought together voices from government, industry, and academia with one shared message: AI is a central means for organisations to operate, compete, and create value.
The event also saw Strateq announce a strategic partnership with MaiStorage, a fast-growing AI and data-centric tech company, in a bid to drive enterprise-ready AI solutions in Malaysia.
The forum was officiated by YB Datuk Wilson Ugak Anak Kumbong, Deputy Minister of Digital, who underscored the government’s view that AI is now a strategic national asset rather than an optional add-on.
“The year 2025 marked a pivotal turning point for Malaysia’s digital landscape,” the YB said, referencing the shift in how organisations are investing in AI tools, talent, and regulatory frameworks.
“Through initiatives such as Malaysia AI Nation 2030, supported by strong regulatory frameworks, ethical AI principles and close collaboration between government and industry, Malaysia remains committed to building a trusted, inclusive and sustainable AI ecosystem.”
An ecosystem designed for practical adoption
From keynotes to panel sessions, the forum’s discussions centred on how AI can tangibly benefit organisations across sectors, such as boosting productivity and automating routine tasks to enable entirely new digital experiences.
At the heart of Strateq’s forum, though, was the firm’s AI Ecosystem, a structured platform built with input from partners, customers, and government agencies. Its goal is to move enterprises from experimentation to real-life AI use-case deployment.
As part of this initiative, Strateq Group will roll out AI Learning programmes and AI Transformation Workshops to equip organisations with the capabilities and roadmap required to execute their AI transformation agendas.
“This AI Ecosystem is our commitment to delivering not just incremental improvements, but a step-change in productivity, innovation, and competitive advantage,” said Datuk Tan Seng Kit, Group Managing Director of Strateq.
Strateq and MaiStorage also showcased its aiDAPTIV+ solutions suite, a set of AI components and use cases that organisations can immediately adopt to operationalise AI across functions and verticals.
Bridging national policy and enterprise adoption
At the event, Dato’ Pua Khein Seng, Founder and Group CEO of Phison Electronics & MaiStorage Technology, described AI progress as something that must be built from the ground up with people and experience at the centre.
“While AI is advancing rapidly and thought leadership is becoming commoditised, user
experience and the people who build AI within companies remain crucial,” he emphasised.
MaiStorage has itself been in the spotlight recently for its talent development initiatives, including plans to train engineers in IC design and AI technologies with the long-term goal of strengthening Malaysia’s capabilities in both tech and semiconductor sectors.
The strategic partnership with Strateq aims to combine Strateq’s enterprise footprint with MaiStorage’s AI and data engineering prowess. According to the firms, this partnership will make AI solutions more accessible and relevant to local businesses.
This aligns with the advice from one of the forum’s speakers Mr Hoo Chuan Wei, Chief Information Security Officer of StarHub Inc., who encouraged companies to build AI models that are fit for Malaysia’s context and industry needs.
With strong government backing, he argued that Malaysia is now well-positioned to lead ASEAN in driving AI adoption.
Closing the gap between ambition and execution
Strateq Group’s journey began as a system integrator back in 1983. Over four decades later, the company has transformed into a full-spectrum digital solutions provider with operations across Southeast Asia, China, and the United States.
Today, Strateq’s portfolio spans everything from data centre services and industry solutions to data analytics, enterprise platforms, and now AI frameworks.
Though it isn’t a household name like some of the newer AI startups, Strateq Group has quietly amassed partnerships and projects with large organisations across both public and private sectors.
Through the Strateq AI Forum 2026, Strateq reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with government ministry and agencies, industry and academia to build a robust and future-ready AI ecosystem that will strengthen Malaysia’s digital competitiveness and support its aspiration to become a regional leader in artificial intelligence.
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Featured Image Credit: Strateq Group