Kuala Lumpur, 27 January 2026 – The Malaysian government is building a centralised database to track and measure the country’s digital divide, part of broader efforts to ensure digitalisation benefits all segments of society and does not deepen social inequality.
The initiative, dubbed the Malaysia Digital Inclusivity Index (MyIKD), is being developed by the Ministry of Digital to provide comprehensive data on digital inclusion gaps across the nation. The index will serve as a centralised metric for policymakers to better understand and monitor differences in access to digital technologies, affordability, skills and adoption among various communities.
Speaking during Question Time in Parliament, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said MyIKD is designed to strengthen government planning on digital inclusivity and help tailor more effective interventions. The database will specifically measure key factors such as accessibility, affordability, readiness and uptake of digital technology, parameters that reflect how well individuals and communities can participate in the digital economy.
Gobind explained that the findings from MyIKD will be used to assess whether existing efforts to expand digital infrastructure and services are working, and if not, how they can be improved. This includes identifying where digital access and use remain limited so that targeted programmes can be refined and scaled accordingly.
The development of the index underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring digital transformation efforts do not widen social and economic disparities, particularly in terms of affordability and access to technology. It also supports Malaysia’s broader strategic goals of becoming a more competitive AI and digital economy nation by 2030.
