SEMENYIH (April 14): Cynicism, fear and ignorance are the three key issues holding again Malaysia’s science and technology improvement, stated Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Chang Lih Kang.
The want to tackle these key points to improve the nation’s technological self-reliance is made extra pressing in gentle of latest geopolitical tensions and provide chain disruptions.
“We need to build technological sovereignty so that we are not constrained by any party in such conditions,” he stated on the launch of National Science Week (MSN) 2026 on the University of Nottingham Malaysia.
Chang stated that ignorance, on this context, refers to how some Malaysians stay unaware of technological advances happening past the nation’s borders, and even college students inside their very own college campuses.
He stated this through the TechTalk part of the launch programme, an initiative by the ministry aimed toward elevating public consciousness of technology.
He recalled a gathering in 2024 with China National Space Administration (CNSA), the place he proudly shared that Malaysia was making ready to launch its first domestically manufactured remote-sensing satellite tv for pc by 2028.
“I asked them when they launched their first locally-made satellite. They [the CNSA] said how China was a bit backwards because they were heavily sanctioned by other countries in the past and were late to the race. They launched their first remote sensing satellite in 1978. The first ever one was in 1975,” stated Chang.
He famous his embarrassment when sharing how Malaysia was solely prepared to launch its first satellite tv for pc when international locations have been launching theirs for nearly 50 years.
“Ignorance is horrible. You need to know what is happening around the world. We must engage with the outside world and the university so we don’t boast about something that is not so great.”
As for cynicism, Chang stated that one of the explanations he began the TechTalk initiative was to have interaction with Malaysians to perceive why each Mosti initiatives and bulletins are met with hostility on social media.
“Then I found out. It is because of cynicism. People do not trust in our own capability,” he stated.
He remembered how, when the Malaysian authorities expressed its want to discover nuclear power to help the nation’s inexperienced power transition, many Malaysians reacted with scepticism and unkind phrases over the concept of exploring nuclear power as a substitute choice.
“Many said it was because we have a bad track record with maintenance, which I admit we do, but in terms of technological capabilities, we are capable,” stated Chang.
Chang added that many international locations all over the world are already exploring or commissioning nuclear power, together with different creating nations like Bangladesh, so he questioned why not Malaysia as effectively.
He believes that whereas many Malaysians don’t belief within the nation’s capabilities, the nation has confirmed to be very succesful. Nuclear technology isn’t new; Malaysia has developed the technology earlier than. On high of that, native engineers are recognised by overseas corporations as being totally succesful of superior technological improvement.
“There is a Turkish aerospace company that has set up an office in Cyberjaya. Türkiye is great in technology; they manufacture their own helicopters and jets. So why come to Malaysia? Because our engineers are good. This company designs avionics, the brains of jets and they employ 150 Malaysian engineers to design their avionics, yet Malaysians still believe we do not have the talent for nuclear,” stated Chang.
On fear, Chang touched on fears of new applied sciences like synthetic intelligence (AI) changing human employees. This is a fear not distinctive to Malaysia, and Chang believes that it’s higher for Malaysians to proactively study AI and how to successfully utilise it.
Spreading science and technology to college students nationwide
This TechTalk was half of this yr’s MSN, a flagship programme by Mosti to assist promote science, technology and innovation (STI) nationwide, aligned with the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2021-2030.
Chang, in his opening speech, addressed present real-world challenges just like the rise of AI, the fears of AI changing people and the expansion of the worldwide semiconductor trade — of which Malaysia stays a powerful key participant in its provide chain — presently price US$600 billion (RM2.3 trillion) and anticipated to attain US$1 trillion by 2030.
“Malaysia has long been the main player in this supply chain, accounting for about 13% of the global market for the installation, testing and packaging of chips…Through strategic efforts – including the development of ecosystem-based IC design chips and cooperation with global industry players — Malaysia is committed to move towards high-value activities in the technology chain,” stated Chang.
In gentle of these developments, Chang famous that MSN this yr is concentrated on reaching college students in each city and rural communities, particularly by way of programmes such because the Science Carnival, Kembara Sains Borneo, Rehlah Sains and STEM Camp for rural communities.
MSN this yr is concentrating on to attain 1.15 million individuals throughout Malaysia, each bodily and on-line. Chang famous that as of Tuesday, MSN has already achieved a million contributors.