Anwar: Malaysia must create, own and master technology
SHAH ALAM: Malaysia must move beyond being merely a consumer of technology and develop the capacity to create, own and master it, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
Malaysia must transition from merely consuming technology to creating, owning, and mastering it, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim declared. The nation faces complex challenges demanding strong scientific knowledge and evidence-based decision-making, Anwar stated. He emphasized that Malaysia cannot remain perpetually reliant on foreign technology.
In his address at the National Science Challenge 2026's conclusion, Anwar highlighted food security, energy supply, public health, water security, climate change, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence as areas necessitating robust scientific understanding and courage in making evidence-based decisions. He noted that each challenge also offered opportunities to devise superior solutions, often stemming from a simple inquiry about the root cause and potential remedies.
Anwar stressed that science education should transcend rote memorization and high exam scores; science must shape thought processes - fostering critical analysis, openness to ideas, experimental spirit, and honesty in failure. This perspective aligns with the theme of the National Science Challenge 2026: "Strengthening the Foundations of Science for a Resilient and Inclusive Future."
Resilience entails possessing the knowledge and capability to navigate uncertainty, while inclusiveness ensures every Malaysian child, irrespective of origin, educational background, or family circumstances, can forge a future through science. Anwar underlined that the advancement of science and technology must be intertwined with human values and integrity.
Creativity demands imagining the unfamiliar, confidence necessitates testing the imagined, and compassion compels constant questioning of who gains, who might be marginalized, and whether the devised solution genuinely enhances lives. Malaysia requires more STEM talent to construct a more advanced, competitive, and resilient future.
Anwar expressed hope that ideas born in schools would evolve into research, technology, innovation, and businesses capable of addressing real Malaysian problems and bolstering the country's global competitiveness.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
