17/12/2025

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WEDNESDAY | DEC 17, 2025

Miti flags tighter oversight of intangible tech transfers o Launch of Association of Innovative Educational Research expected to support efforts to strengthen awareness and governance of flows of non-physical items

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) is sharpening its focus on intangible technology transfers under the Strategic Trade Act 2010, as growing geopolitical risks blur the lines between research, commercial isation and national security. Speaking at the official launch of the Association of Innovative Edu cational Research (AIER) yesterday, Strategic Trade Controller Vimala Murugan said, while controls on manufactured and physical dual-use goods are relatively established, intangible technology transfer (ITT) remains a complex and under regulated area. “It was easy when it came to manufactured goods, military items and dual-use items. When it comes to intangible technology transfer, ethical research and who the final recipient is, that’s where it’s always a grey area,” she said. ITT refers to the transfer of non physical technologies such as research data, software, designs, technical know-how and training, areas increasingly embedded in academic research, cross-border collaboration and commercialisation efforts. Vimala said Malaysia’s openness as an education and research hub, coupled with shifting global geo politics, has heightened the need for stronger safeguards without under mining innovation. “Malaysia has always been an open country when it comes to students and private education. We have students coming from various countries, undertaking research and moving on. Even that has become something we have to look at carefully.” She added that Miti plans to work more closely with the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Education from 2026 to strengthen awareness and governance around ITT in universities and research institutions. Ű BY DEEPALAKSHMI MANICKAM sunbiz@thesundaily.com roadmap aimed at strengthening its competitive position and reinforcing its standing as Asia’s leading travel and aviation services group. LTBP3.0 builds on the strong momentum established under LTBP2.0, which was intro duced in 2020 as part of MAG’s successful financial restructuring which saw it reduce liabilities by over RM15 billion and eliminated RM10 billion in legacy debt. Since then, MAG has recorded its strongest performance in over a decade, among others sustained profitability with three consecutive years of operating profit and two consecutive years of positive net income after tax; welcomed 22 next generation aircraft, driving fleet modernisation, expanded routes and

At the heart of this plan, he added, is a focused network and fleet strategy that positions them for the next horizon of growth, enabling them to serve customers with greater reach, efficiency and an elevated customer experience, and their ambition to see Malaysia Airlines ranked among Skytrax’s Top 10 Global Airlines by 2030. At the core of LTBP3.0 are bold, measurable outcomes aligned to MAG’s Destination 2030 aspirations, setting sights on where the group envisions itself by 2030. These include positioning Malaysia Airlines among Skytrax’s Top 10 Global Airlines (from 27nd today); doubling the group’s topline revenue to more than RM24 billion; and driving more than 60% growth in third-party revenue across secure research while enabling productive collaboration with industry. “Our mission is to enable rigorous, high-quality research that pushes the boundaries of knowledge, while ensuring safety, ethics and security are embedded from the outset.” Tan said AIER aims to facilitate responsible technology transfer that safeguards national interests, pro tects critical capabilities and accelerates beneficial applications to market. She stressed that national security should not be seen as a barrier to innovation but as an enabler of sustainable growth. “National security is not a con straint on innovation. It is a guardrail that enables a sustainable approach,” she said, adding that security consi derations must be integrated into research design from inception rather than treated as an after thought. According to Tan, a key challenge lies in balancing curiosity-driven fundamental research with applied, industry-relevant innovation, parti cularly when emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology and advanced sensing increasingly

The launch of AIER is expected to support this effort by acting as a bridge between policymakers, aca demia and industry, particularly in translating regulatory expectations into research and innovation practices. Vimala said Miti relies heavily on academic collaboration to address ITT risks, noting that the ministry is more familiar with manufacturing-sector controls than research environments. “When it comes to ITT, we really need the academicians’ support in creating awareness, and to speak the language that researchers are familiar with.” She also highlighted the repu tational risks Malaysia faces if strategic trade controls are not properly managed, noting that the country has previously drawn inter national attention for manufactured goods-related cases. “I hope we continue working effectively so that ITT doesn’t go into the headlines for the wrong reasons,” she said, adding that Malaysia should aim to become a benchmark for responsible technology management. Meanwhile, in her opening remarks, AIER founding member Dr Olivia Tan Swee Leng said the association was established on July 24 2024 to promote safe, ethical and

Vimala (left) and Tan at the official launch of the Association of Innovative Educational and Research.

0 MAG will build stronger, smarter partnerships to extend its global reach, enabling seamless travel across more than 1,100 destinations worldwide. These collaborations will strengthen Malaysia’s position as a connected aviation hub and unlock new value across the travel and aviation ecosystem. 0 Build strong organisational capabilities by developing talent and technical expertise through structured upskilling, while embedding con tinuous improvement and best-in class practices across all functions to deliver consistent, world-class opera tional standards across MAG. 0 Strengthen financial resilience by growing third-party businesses beyond the Airline Business, supported by expanded cargo capabilities, end to-end in-flight catering capability and greater synergies across MAG through coordinated commercial and shared capabilities; enhancing the group’s overall influence within the broader aviation ecosystem. “Today is a starting point, not a conclusion,” she said. “We invite all stakeholders to pursue research that is rigorous, safe and ethically grounded, while championing res ponsible innovation that respects national security and public trust.” The AIER launch marks a growing shift in Malaysia’s innovation land scape, where research excellence and strategic trade compliance are increasingly expected to move in tandem, rather than on parallel tracks. To that end, AIER plans to roll out capacity-building programmes, workshops, fellowships and certifi cations to equip researchers and professionals with skills in dual-use risk assessment, cybersecurity, data ethics and governance.

its aviation services businesses. Collectively, these targets are designed to strengthen MAG’s long term financial resilience, elevate Malaysia’s global connectivity and reinforce the group’s role as a catalyst for national development. To achieve its long-term targets, LTBP3.0 is anchored on four strategic pillars that will be supported by key enablers including, people, processes, digital innovation and sustainability. 0 MAG will deliver premium, end-to end travel experiences that set new benchmarks for Malaysian Hospitality – from call centres to cabins – by elevating personalisation, service quality and seamless journey execution. This is underpinned by capacity expansion by over 50% at an average annual growth rate of 8.5%; continued fleet renewal, including investment in 40 A330neos, 43 Boeing 737-8s and 12 Boeing 737-10s, supporting the ambition to operate a modern mainline fleet of 116 aircraft by 2035. carry dual-use risks. “We do not want to kill off fundamental research. At the same time, we need to protect national security when it comes to technology transfer,” she said. AIER’s collaboration with Miti’s Strategic Trade Secretariat will focus on promoting risk-aware research design, dual-use screening, security conscious publishing and responsible commercialisation pathways. Tan said AIER would also promote transparent governance and measurable impact indicators to track safety outcomes and societal benefits, while nurturing a talent ecosystem that protects sensitive information and sustains long-term national capability.

Malaysia Aviation Group unveils LTBP3.0 to propel next phase of growth PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) has unveiled its Long Term Business Plan 3.0 (LTBP3.0), a focused five-year (2026-2030) growth. It sharpens our premium position and deepens the value we create across our broader aviation ecosystem.”

enhanced customer experience; stronger non-air revenue streams, now contributing 18% of the group’s revenue in 2024, supported by consistent growth and new opportunities, such as the leasing of Hangar 4 at Subang Airport to

expand maintenance, repair and overhaul capacity and capability. MAG Group managing director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail said, “The progress we have made under LTBP2.0 reflects the capability and resilience of our people across the group, and it gives us the confidence to move into our next chapter with greater ambition. “LTBP3.0 marks a shift from stabilisation to scaled and disciplined