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.