Don't just use technology, create it: Malaysia must step up innovation drive, says Mosti

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 — Malaysia must accelerate and strengthen its science, technology and innovation (STI) efforts to move beyond being a technology user and become a developer and commercialiser of homegrown technologies, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Chang Lih Kang.

He said the ability to develop local technologies was crucial to enhancing the country’s competitiveness and driving innovation-led economic growth amid rapid global technological advances.

Chang said this required a whole-of-nation approach, with close cooperation between the federal and state governments to strengthen the STI ecosystem, develop local talent and expand technology adoption based on each state’s needs and economic potential.

He was speaking at the Second 2026 Meeting of Ministers and State Executive Councillors Responsible for Science, Technology and Innovation (MEXCO-STI) here yesterday.

Chang said MEXCO-STI provided an important platform to align policies, strategies and implementation of the national STI agenda between the federal and state governments.

The meeting also discussed measures to address challenges arising from Malaysia’s expected transition to an ageing nation by 2048.

The Malaysian Innovation Foundation (YIM) presented initiatives combining STI to empower older people, develop high-tech businesses and preserve and commercialise traditional knowledge.

Another focus was the use of a circular economy to generate income for fishermen. The programme, introduced by Bioeconomy Corporation (BEC), is expected to cover at least 30 identified locations across Peninsular Malaysia in 2027.

Meanwhile, Chang said the ministry (Mosti) was coordinating preparations for the Second 2026 National Science Council (MSN) meeting, scheduled for Nov 24 and to be chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said the views and proposals raised at MEXCO-STI would also be brought to the council meeting to help strengthen the country’s STI policies and development direction.

On efforts to nurture interest in STI among the public, Chang said Mosti’s Malaysia Techlympics programme had reached 3.18 million young people nationwide, surpassing its original target of 1.8 million participants.

He said the achievement reflected growing interest in STI among young people, supported by state governments and other stakeholders.

On innovation commercialisation, Chang said the National Innovation and Commercialisation Expo (NICE) 2026 attracted more than 12,000 visitors, with 180 exhibitors and 235 business-matching sessions.

However, he stressed that the success of the country’s innovation ecosystem should be measured not merely by programme participation but by its ability to commercialise research, create new economic opportunities and deliver tangible benefits to the public.

He said stronger coordination between the federal and state governments was essential to ensure STI investments, expertise and infrastructure were used effectively, without duplication or waste of resources. — Bernama

Putrajaya still working on loophole in planned road crash payouts: What if offenders have no money?

Kuching North achieves Level 1 Smart City status, now sets sights on Level 2

Life after the military: Nearly 800 veterans find new careers beyond the uniform through Kerjaya Kedua Perwira initiative, says Khaled

吉隆坡，10 月 28 日——马来西亚科学、技术和创新部长拿督张立康表示，马来西亚必须加快并加强其科学、技术和创新 (STI) 工作，以超越技术使用者的角色，成为本土技术的开发者和商业化者。

他表示，在全球技术快速发展的今天，发展本土技术的能力对于提升国家竞争力、推动创新驱动的经济增长至关重要。

张先生表示，这需要举全国之力，联邦政府和州政府密切合作，加强科技创新生态系统，培养本地人才，并根据各州的需求和经济潜力扩大技术应用。

他昨天在墨西哥举行的 2026 年第二届科技创新部长和国家行政委员会会议（MEXCO-STI）上发表了讲话。

张表示，MEXCO-STI 为联邦政府和州政府协调国家科​​技创新议程的政策、战略和实施提供了一个重要的平台。

会议还讨论了应对马来西亚预计到 2048 年将步入老龄化国家所带来的挑战的措施。

马来西亚创新基金会 (YIM) 提出了一系列结合科技创新 (STI) 的举措，旨在增强老年人的能力，发展高科技企业，并保护和商业化传统知识。

另一重点是利用循环经济模式为渔民创造收入。这项由生物经济公司（BEC）推出的计划预计将于2027年覆盖马来西亚半岛至少30个选定地点。

与此同时，张先生表示，该部（科技部）正在协调筹备定于11月24日举行的2026年第二次国家科学理事会（MSN）会议，该会议将由首相拿督斯里安华·易卜拉欣主持。

他表示，在墨西哥科技创新大会上提出的观点和建议也将提交理事会会议，以帮助加强该国的科技创新政策和发展方向。

关于培养公众对科技创新（STI）兴趣的努力，张先生表示，科技创新部（Mosti）的马来西亚科技奥林匹克竞赛计划已覆盖全国318万年轻人，超过了最初设定的180万参与者的目标。

他表示，这一成就反映了年轻人对性传播感染日益增长的兴趣，并得到了州政府和其他利益相关者的支持。

关于创新商业化，张先生表示，2026年全国创新与商业化博览会（NICE）吸引了超过12000名参观者，180家参展商，并举办了235场商务对接会。

然而，他强调，衡量一个国家创新生态系统的成功，不应仅仅看其参与项目的情况，而应看其将研究成果商业化、创造新的经济机会以及为公众带来切实利益的能力。

他表示，联邦政府和州政府之间加强协调至关重要，以确保科技创新投资、专业知识和基础设施得到有效利用，避免重复建设和资源浪费。——马新社

布城仍在研究道路交通事故赔偿计划中的漏洞：如果肇事者没有钱怎么办？

古晋北区荣获一级智慧城市称号，现将目标瞄准二级智慧城市。

退伍后的生活：据哈立德称，通过“Kerjaya Kedua Perwira”计划，近800名退伍军人找到了军装之外的新职业。