KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- 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 today.
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