The launch of Deloitte's Southeast Asia Regional Capability Centre with Economy Minister Mohd Rafizi Ramli (centre), Deloitte Malaysia chief executive officer Yee Wing Peng (second from left), and Deloitte Southeast Asia clients and markets leader James Walton (right) at Level 15, Menara LGB, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. (Photo by Shahrill Basri/The Edge)

KUALA LUMPUR (June 7): Deloitte on Wednesday (June 7) launched its Southeast Asia Regional Capability Centre (RCC) here, which aims to support Malaysia's aspirations to move towards a high-skilled and high-income economy.

The RCC is designed to deliver a comprehensive, end-to-end suite of professional services to clients in the region across Deloitte's five businesses — audit and assurance, consulting, financial advisory, risk advisory, and tax and legal — in a way that is seamless and cost efficient. The RCC requires talent with a wide array of skills and expertise to deliver its services that span the five businesses.

Speaking at the launch of the Southeast Asia RCC, Deloitte Malaysia chief executive officer Yee Wing Peng said the establishment of the RCC reinforces the firm's commitment to creating high-value employment opportunities for local knowledge workers.

He hopes that the opportunities would ultimately lead to a highly skilled workforce, capable of exporting world-class professional services internationally.

"Through the RCC, we look forward to supporting the government in bridging the gaps, ultimately helping to lift the nation's economy to high income status by 2028," Yee added.

In addition to the conventional auditing and taxation expertise, Yee said the firm plans to build newer capabilities, including data science and analytics, forensic investigation, supply chain management, digital transformation, cybersecurity and cloud computing.

"Building these capabilities is essential for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which entails reforming the economic structure towards the high-value chain," Yee noted.

These capabilities will also create opportunities for local talent, and will help uplift the professional services sector in Malaysia.

Yee said the RCC had plans to scale up 1,000 professionals within the year, and hopes to further grow the headcount to 3,000 professionals in the next three to five years. The RCC currently employs over 600 professionals.

The RCC leverages Malaysia's central geographic location within Southeast Asia and its reputation as a competitive destination for high-value investments. This move will allow Deloitte to enhance its regional presence, and position the organisation to meet increasing demand for professional services in Southeast Asia.

Deloitte Southeast Asia CEO Eugene Ho said the opening of the RCC in Kuala Lumpur is a strategic move and part of the firm's investment plans to further growth in the region.

"This is primarily an investment in people. Our people are our most important assets, and they are key to our success. To help us build our capabilities for us to help our clients solve their most complex issues, we need to attract and retain the best talent in Malaysia and around the region, and give them an unrivalled career experience as the employer of choice in the region and globally," Ho added.

Separately, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) CEO Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman said the establishment of Deloitte's Southeast Asia RCC in Malaysia is a strategic move that aligns closely with the goals outlined in the 12th Malaysia Plan, aiming at expediting the generation of high-value job opportunities, and cultivate a knowledgeable and skilled workforce.

"Deloitte's RCC and Malaysia are forging a parallel path to transform the nation into a global services hub by 2025," Arham added.

Meanwhile, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) CEO Mahadhir Aziz said the Southeast Asia RCC is a resounding affirmation of Malaysia's position as a competitive powerhouse for high-value investments, and propels MDEC's closer towards its goal of firmly establishing the country as the digital hub of Asean.

"Deloitte's RCC not only represents a monumental leap in enhancing Malaysia's service capabilities, but also signifies confidence in Malaysia's robust and enabling ecosystem, our pool of digitally skilled talent, world-class infrastructure, and establishing Malaysia as the destination for unparalleled digital excellence," Mahadhir added.

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