03/10/2025

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FRIDAY | OCT 3, 2025

Major step forward in becoming digital nation

Tengku Zafrul says reforms and innovation boost investor confidence in Malaysia SINGAPORE: Investor confidence is clearly returning to Malaysia as a result of the govern ment’s commitment to reform, cooperate, innovate, and build a stronger, more sophis ticated and inclusive economy, said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. He said today’s Malaysia is clearly stronger and more resilient, and has risen sharply in global competitiveness rankings. “Our re-entry into the radar of global investors is the result of deliberate curation, not a coincidence. But Malaysia will not rest on its laurels. “Our exports are diversifying, with green technologies, medical devices, and digital services expanding rapidly as new pillars of growth,” he said in his opening remarks at the Milken Institute’s Asia Summit 2025 here yesterday. Tengku Zafrul said in navigating today’s increasingly complex global landscape, Malaysia is adopting a three-pronged approach through industrial reform, innovation and economic complexity, and the green strategy. The minister noted that Malaysia’s industrial reform efforts are geared towards retooling the country’s industries for the challenges of tomorrow. By driving industrial upgrading, digitalisation, and sustainability, Malaysia is raising its manufacturing sophistication, accelerating technology adoption, and strengthening small and medium enterprises, he said. “Long a trusted hub in assembly and testing, Malaysia is now proactively moving up the innovation and economic complexity value chain, such as design, advanced packaging, and R&D for semiconductors,” he said. For investors, the disciplined implementation of Malaysia’s industrial reforms signals the country’s determination to move up the value chain. Additionally, he said Malaysia’s green investment strategy ensures the country is well positioned to lead in renewable energy, carbon services, and sustainable finance. Tengku Zafrul said all these national strategies have been complemented by cross border initiatives such as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, which now serves as a testbed for how Asean can integrate supply chains, strengthen resilience, and create high value opportunities across borders. Under Malaysia’s chairmanship of Asean this year, the regional bloc is on track to deliver most of the 18 priority economic deliverables outlined at the Asean Economic Ministers Meeting last week. He said Asean continues to shine – a rare, bright spot – in the proverbial darkness of global headwinds with growth projected at 4.2% this year against 2.8% globally. Last year, trade in goods grew by nearly 9% to US$3.8 trillion, while services trade expanded by 12%, and foreign direct investments (FDI) rose by 8.5%, compared to global FDI, which fell by 11%. Tengku Zafrul said Asean’s role as a bridge in a strife-ridden world cannot be overstated, and it remains one of the few middle-power platforms where the United States, China, India, the Gulf Cooperation Council and Europe can still sit together. He said Malaysia is determined to keep Asean open, inclusive, and central as the best way forward towards peace and prosperity for all. “Under Malaysia’s chairmanship, we make no apologies for our fierce neutrality or prioritising the Asean Way.” – Bernama

Ű BY DEEPALAKSHMI MANICKAM sunbiz@thesundaily.com

o Mosti unveils more than 25 market-ready technologies at Mimos Technology Preview 2025

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia’s ambition to become a globally competitive digital nation received a major boost yesterday as the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) unveiled more than 25 market-ready tech nologies at the Mimos Technology Preview 2025 (MTP 2025), held in conjunction with the agency’s 40th anniversary. Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal, who officiated the event, said the showcase reflects the country’s determination to align innovation with national priorities, from semiconductors and quantum tech nologies to green solutions and healthcare. “MTP 2025 is more than a technology showcase. It is a window into Malaysia’s future, where the brilliance of our nation is brought to life, offering technologies that are ready for the market and ripe for colla boration,” he said. Among the highlights are breakthroughs in semiconductors and advanced electronics that strengthen Malaysia’s role in the global supply chain, as well as artificial intelligence, blockchain and quantum technologies to future-proof the digital economy. Other solutions include cybersecurity to safeguard sovereignty, decarbonisation inno vations under the National Energy Transition Roadmap, and healthcare and smart manu facturing platforms designed to boost pro ductivity. “These technologies are not just inventions, they are investments in our future. By unveiling solutions created by Malaysians, for Malaysians, MTP 2025 affirms that we have the creativity, the skill and the determination to lead in areas of strategic importance,” Yusof said. He also stressed the importance of collaboration through the Quadruple Helix Model, which unites government, industry, academia and civil society. “No nation can innovate in isolation. Progress emerges when knowledge meets capital, when research meets talent, and when ideas are transformed into solutions,” he said, before officially launching the event.

industry pain points with affordable, lower risk solutions that entrepreneurs can take directly to the market.” He added that the preview is not only for innovators but also for policymakers, regulators, funding agencies and potential users to connect in one place. “MTP is a platform to enable people to transform technology into businesses they need. It is where innovation meets the marketplace,” he said. Saat Shukri revealed that Mimos’ contri butions have already boosted Malaysia’s position in the Global Innovation Index. “When we started this transformation two years ago, Malaysia had never been in the Global Innovation Index. Last year we broke into the top 100 at 93rd place, and this year we improved further to 86th. With continued cooperation, we aim to be among the top 50 within five years,” he said. He noted that strong patent filings and intellectual property development played a key role in the achievement, but stressed that commercialisation must be the ultimate goal. “Filing intellectual property is not enough, if we don’t commercialise, it becomes a liability. But if we work together to turn innovation into businesses, every patent becomes an asset for Malaysia,” he said. Mimos chairperson Dr Jasmine Begum, in her keynote, said the agency will continue to drive solutions-focused R&D aligned with the Madani government’s agenda, the National Semiconductor Strategy and other key frameworks. “Mimos today is more than a research institute. It is a superconducting magnet that attracts, bridges and connects technological research and development to real-world applications,” she said. She called for inclusive partnerships to ensure no Malaysian is left behind in the country’s journey towards a high-tech, high income, fully digitalised and low-carbon nation.

Mimos president and group CEO Dr Saat Shukri Embong recalled the agency’s beginnings in 1985 with just 13 pioneers, saying it has since grown into a world-class R&D centre with over 2,000 patents and innovations that strengthened Malaysia’s digital sovereignty. This year’s showcase, he said, marks a new chapter: “MTP 2025 is not merely a showcase. It is a statement of capability, a platform of collaboration, and a promise of what we can achieve together.” Saat Shukri also highlighted how Mimos has shifted its approach in recent years, from focusing solely on research to ensuring technologies are developed with end-users and industry needs in mind. “We have transformed the focus of Mimos from looking at technology to looking at how it can be applied,” he said. “Instead of prototypes sitting in labs, our innovations today are market-ready, designed to address Yusof speaking at the Mimos Technology Preview 2025 in Putrajaya yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

Govt undertaking initiatives to spur bamboo industry KUALA BERANG: The government is undertaking various initiatives to boost the bamboo industry, which has the potential to emerge as a new economic driver, ultimately benefiting both the people and the nation. Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin said that, according to a report by Market Data Forecast, the global value of bamboo exports stood at US$70.78 billion (RM299.43 billion) in 2024 and is projected to rise to US$74.26 billion (RM314.16 billion) this year. ceremony of the World Bamboo Day Malaysia 2025 at the Bamboo Model Farm, Terengganu Timber Industry Training Centre here yesterday. Representing Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Chan said more than 577 local entrepreneurs are currently engaged in various bamboo-related sectors, including furniture, construction, textiles, food, charcoal, and handicrafts. are initiatives under the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB), which is conducting various ongoing studies on value-added downstream products, such as bamboo fibre extraction for furniture manufacturing and use as a building material. He said the durability of bamboo products demonstrates the industry’s capacity to keep pace with the demands of modern tech nology.

In addition, Chan said the government, through MTIB, has implemented the Bamboo Community Farming Development Project across 135.4 hectares nationwide, involving small-scale farm entrepreneurs. Through the programme, participants with bamboo farms ranging from 0.4 to 3.99 hectares are provided with incentives such as bamboo seedlings, fertiliser and training. – Bernama

He said this clearly demonstrates that bamboo is no longer merely a traditional material but holds strong potential as a competitive modern commodity. In this regard, Chan noted that emphasis is being placed on high-value bamboo product innovation, skills development and the adoption of modern technology, with full stakeholder participation. Among the government’s efforts, he added,

“This data demonstrates the significance of the bamboo industry to global development and demand. “The current focus is on innovation in producing high-value bamboo products, skills development, and the adoption of modern technology with the full involvement of all stakeholders,“ he said at the opening