The Multimedia Super Corridor is a government initiative aimed at burgeoning the electronics and digital technology industries in Malaysia. The MSC was launched in 2003 and has been developing ever since.
A key part of the MSC is Cyberjaya, a planned city built specifically for the information and communications technology sector. It houses companies that produce software and services, as well as research institutions and educational facilities.
Cyberjaya is one of the most prominent parts of the MSC, along with Putrajaya, which houses governmental institutions. The two form what is known as the “twin cities” of Cyberjaya and Putrajaya.
The aim of the MSC is to bring international recognition to Malaysia through its emerging industries, particularly within ICT (information and communication technology) sector. By creating an environment that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship, the government hopes to see more success stories like Google or Facebook that emerge from Malaysia.
History of Cyberjaya
Cyberjaya was envisioned as early as the 1990s, during the Information Technology boom. The Malaysian government planned for Cyberjaya to be a high-technology city that would anchor the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC).
The MSC was a region focused on development of information technology, multimedia, and content creation. This included developing software companies, telecommunication services, and film and video production.
At the time, there were few institutions that taught these skills, so the government built one to help train their workforce. They also worked with other universities to offer courses in information technology and multimedia.
The first phase of Cyberjaya was completed in 2002 and housed several multinational companies like Samsung and Intel. However, the city struggled to attract local start-ups and remained primarily a workplace for employees of other companies based elsewhere.
Who founded Cyberjaya?
Cyberjaya was founded by the Malaysian government in the year 1994. It is located in Selangor, which is a state located in the west of Malaysia. The city was planned and built to be an advanced technology research and development city.
The idea behind its founding was to create a leading knowledge-based economy for Malaysia through the development of advanced technology industries and R&D centers.
Cyberjaya now houses over 700 companies, including big names like Google, Sony, Hewlett-Packard, and Intel. Over 50,000 people work here, with over half of them having doctoral degrees.
The fact that so many high-level professionals work here has contributed greatly to Cyberjaya’s success. These professionals help create new technologies that further develop the country’s economy as a whole.
What companies are located in Cyberjaya?
Some of the top companies that have offices in Cyberjaya include Google, Microsoft, Uber, and Samsung. There are also many start-up companies that have found a home in Cyberjaya.
Many of these companies work together, exchanging ideas and collaborating on projects. This atmosphere is what draws many people to Cyberjaya in the first place.
As more companies move into the city, more opportunities to collaborate arise. More formal meetings and informal get-togethers become possible, which fosters a sense of community.
People who work here feel like they’re part of something bigger than their own company—they’re part of the wider cybercommunity that calls Cyberjaya home. This sense of community contributes to people’s happiness at work, which in turn draws more people to the city.
Why did Malaysia create the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC)?
In the 1990s, Malaysia’s government saw the rise of the internet and realized the importance of technology in the future. They also saw how Silicon Valley was booming with tech companies and innovation, and they wanted some of that success for Malaysia.
They created the MSC in an effort to boost their national economy by attracting foreign companies and investors, as well as local companies and entrepreneurs.
By creating a “knowledge-based economy” via the MSC, they hoped to move beyond traditional industries like oil and gas and into tech-based ones like artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR).
The Malaysian government invested billions of ringgit (the national currency) into building infrastructure, providing incentives to relocate to the MSC area, and supporting startups based in the region.
Benefits of being in the MSC
Several countries have established special economic zones and corridors, hoping to benefit from the flow of investment and trade.
Most of these zones are in developing countries, where the government hopes to attract foreign investment and manufacturing by offering tax breaks and relaxed regulations.
However, the Multimedia Super Corridor is a different kind of zone. It’s in Malaysia, a country with a growing economy that already has strong manufacturing and export industries.
The MSC doesn’t offer tax breaks or relaxed regulations – it exists to facilitate the development of new technologies like AI, 5G, biotech, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and robotics. These are all areas that will benefit from AI integration in the coming years.
Companies that invest in these new technologies may choose to locate their operations in Cyberjaya because it is located right next to the MSC.
Challenges of being in the MSC
Aside from the competition the MSC faces with other tech hubs, there are also challenges of being in the MSC.
One of these is the lack of diversity in the tech industry. There is a lack of women and minority workers in both companies and as students in universities. This may be due to a lack of outreach to these groups, making it harder for them to succeed in this field.
Another challenge is the cost of living in Malaysia. While this may not be an issue for those earning an average salary, it can be difficult for those on a lower income to live comfortably. This may deter people from moving to the country for work or exploration!
The last challenge is awareness: many people do not know much about Malaysia outside of Southeast Asia, making it harder to establish national recognition.
Who else has a MSC?
Malaysia is not the only country to have a Multimedia Super Corridor. Several other countries have developed similar economic zones with the same title.
Some of these MSCs include China, India, Italy, and Ireland. Many of these countries promote their tech sectors and economic zones as a way to attract foreign investment and revenue.
Many of these MSCs also rely on the same things: good infrastructure, low-cost workforce, and government support. Malaysia has all of these things for the multimedia sector, which is why it became such a prominent feature in its MSC.
Foreign investment does play a role in developing an MSC, but it is the local workforce that plays a bigger role in cultivating growth within the sector. Having good training facilities and institutes helps with this.
How can I get involved in a MSC?
If you are interested in pursuing a career in the MSC field, or simply interested in knowing more about the area, you can get involved in a few ways.
The first way is to visit the Multimedia Super Corridor! There is no official tour, but if you are interested in cyber security or internet development, there are some places you can check out.
You can also attend events put on by companies located in the MSC. There are many companies that work within the MSC and offer opportunities to learn and participate in their projects. Some of these include Google, IBM, and Microsoft.
If you are not quite ready to get involved professionally but want to learn more about the area, there are some museums and educational facilities that offer courses on multimedia and digital technology.
