KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Huawei Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. today celebrated the graduation of 126 outstanding individuals from the second and third cohorts of the Digital Leadership Excellence (DLE) Programme, reaffirming their commitment to cultivating Malaysia’s digital leadership across government, academia, and industry.
The cohorts completed a rigorous four-month hybrid learning programme in 2025, with 60 senior leaders graduating in June and a further 66 in October. Alongside the inaugural cohort in 2024, which saw 50 graduates, the programme has now trained a total of 176 digital leaders nationwide. The fourth cohort is currently underway, with the fifth expected to conclude by year’s end, bringing the total to nearly 300 leaders trained by 2026.
The graduation ceremony saw the recipients receive their scrolls from MCMC Chairman, Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din, and Huawei Malaysia CEO, Mr. Simon Sun.
MCMC emphasises that initiatives like the DLE Programme are vital in strengthening Malaysia’s digital leadership capacity and supporting responsible, impactful digital transformation. Such collaborations foster cross-sector partnership and equip leaders with the skills and insights needed to navigate an increasingly digital future. MCMC remains dedicated to efforts that turn national ambitions into tangible outcomes.
“At its heart, digital transformation requires leaders who see beyond technology alone and focus on how it can solve real problems, strengthen organisations, and improve lives. This is the core purpose of the Digital Leadership Excellence Programme,” said Mr. Simon Sun at the graduation event.
The programme emphasises applied leadership development, collaboration, and immersive exposure to emerging technologies, including 5G, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, big data, green technology, and cybersecurity.
Graduate Mohd Saiful Nizam bin Rahimi, Lead for Information and Application Architecture at Tenaga Nasional Berhad, described DLE as “an incredible opportunity to exchange ideas with industry peers, thought leaders, and Huawei’s global experts.” He added, “The discussions and case studies inspired me to think more strategically about leveraging technology to create meaningful impact.”
From academia, senior lecturer Dr Norilmi Amilia of Universiti Sains Malaysia, from Cohort 2, highlighted how “true digital leadership starts with collaboration,” adding that DLE “brings minds together to advance our nation.”
Industry representative Danny Chan Tzu Zhung, Director of Regional Sector, Telecommunication, Media and Technology at CIMB Investment Bank, remarked, “I’ve shifted from being a passive supporter to an active change-maker. DLE isn’t just a programme—it’s a movement uniting sectors to empower others.”
Participants also undertook capstone projects addressing key national priorities such as education, healthcare, talent development, financial security, agriculture, and social inclusion—reflecting the programme’s focus on practical, solution-oriented leadership.
Inspired by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s call for enhanced digital leadership during the 2023 Malaysia ICT Summit hosted by Huawei Malaysia, the DLE Programme aligns with Malaysia’s vision for a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready digital economy.
The ongoing collaboration between MCMC and Huawei Malaysia through the DLE Programme underscores their shared commitment to nurturing future-ready leaders and supporting Malaysia’s long-term digital transformation journey.-pr/BNN
