The Malaysian Insight

DR Mahathir Mohamad’s Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) was what sparked the idea for Alibaba, said founder and executive chairman Jack Ma.

Ma said back when he was living in a small apartment in China, he had read about the prime minister’s MSC, and thought such a project would benefit the Chinese economy.

“And I was wondering how this kind of digital technology can empower people. One day, I was reading the newspaper and I read about the MSC.

“And I said, wow this is a genius idea, how can this thing happen?

“The day I read this news in China, in 1997, I said, if Malaysia could, why couldn’t China? If this kind of thing could happen, why shouldn’t I step out of my apartment?

“So, Malaysia inspired me to create Alibaba, and today, I thank the PM for his great inspiration, for the MSC,” he said in a speech at the opening of Alibaba’s Malaysian headquarters today.

The MSC, Dr Mahathir’s brainchild, was launched in the mid-1990s as an economic and information technology business zone, covering Kuala Lumpur, Cyberjaya, Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Ma said he was inspired to “read more books” and gain knowledge after meeting Dr Mahathir this morning.

“He’s a legend, 93 years old, and has a great vision for technology and such great knowledge about technology.

“Dr Mahathir, after talking to him, inspired me to read more books.”

Ma said he and the prime minister have similar interests and beliefs in the power of the internet and technology to help small businesses, the youth and rural folk.

“We believe in (using) technology to empower rural folk, to create jobs for them, and make them more productive.

“We agreed that we will use technology, with Alibaba and Malaysia as partners, to train as many young people as possible, to train and help as many small businesses as possible.”

He also touched on business concerns relating to the Pakatan Harapan government’s rise to power, which has led to several major China-led infrastructure projects being reviewed, but did not mention them specifically.

“Before I came here, a lot of people said a lot of words about Malaysia and China’s relationship. But worrying never solves problems.

“I’ve come here myself, to Malaysia. I came to feel it, touch it and smell it. And I’m very confident in Malaysia and China’s relationship. I’m confident that the business community in China will come here and invest.”

The Alibaba office in Bangsar South, Kuala Lumpur, is its first Southeast Asian office.

Last year, Ma and the Malaysian government under former prime minister Najib Razak inked a deal to launch the Electronic World Trade Platform hub, which is part of Ma’s idea for a Digital Free Trade Zone project, aimed at growing small and medium enterprises, and emerging businesses through online platforms and e-commerce. – June 18, 2018.