Kuala Lumpur — In a significant move signalling the growing integration of Korean artificial intelligence firms into Southeast Asia’s state-led innovation ecosystem, Seoul-based IT and AI convergence company ProtoTy (CEO Park Seung-hyun) visited Malaysia’s national applied research agency, the Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems (MIMOS), on November 6. The visit, conducted in partnership with local strategic partner MYBIG (CEO Kong Chia-hing), marks a deliberate push by the Korean firm to accelerate collaborative projects in the region.
MIMOS, operating under Malaysia’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), is the national-applied research and development centre responsible for advancing digital infrastructure and technological innovation across the country. The agency functions as a key node in Malaysia’s ambition to become a regional digital hub.
During the visit, ProtoTy presented a range of its AI-based smart services and advanced digital solutions. Alongside the MYBIG team, the company engaged in wide-ranging discussions with MIMOS officials about potential joint-initiatives. Among the highlighted capabilities were its experience in biometric access systems developed in collaboration with Uzbekistan’s state IT company Uzinfocom and its integrated digital hospital project — both cited as demonstration models of government-digital transformation alliances in emerging markets.
The impetus, according to ProtoTy, is to leverage these proof-points and elevate the cooperation with MIMOS to a new level. As a symbol of the burgeoning relationship, MIMOS awarded ProtoTy a “Best Compliment” plaque — an official acknowledgment of the company’s contribution to local digital innovation. The recognition is expected to lay the foundation for broadening the partnership further.
In a parallel development, MYBIG presented ProtoTy with a gratitude plaque for its collaboration in the recent Malaysia Ministry of Education event held in South Korea, underscoring the bilateral dimension of the Korea-Malaysia cooperation in education and digital transformation.
Speaking on the occasion, CEO Park remarked: “Our cooperation with MIMOS represents a meaningful first step as we lead global convergence business at the heart of Southeast Asia’s digital innovation cluster. To expedite commercialization, we will continue regular remote meetings and technical exchanges with MIMOS, MYBIG and Uzbekistan’s Uzinfocom.” Looking forward, ProtoTy plans to work with its partners in Malaysia and Uzbekistan to identify and pilot various innovation models applied to government projects and international digital-transformation efforts.
The visit and the ensuing agreements reflect a broader trend: Korean AI-tech firms increasingly view Southeast Asia not only as a market but as a partner in co-creating next-generation digital solutions tied to public-sector transformation. The collaboration between ProtoTy and MIMOS may thus signal the emergence of a new regional axis of AI-based innovation bridging East Asia and Southeast Asia.
