Strengthen STI mastery for socio-economic progress - PM Muhyiddin

Mastery of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) must be strengthened to ensure the country’s social and economic progress, said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said STI application is crucial at a time when the country is faced with a post-COVID-19 socio-economic landscape.

Muhyiddin said this when chairing the 2020 National Science Council second meeting today, according to a Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry statement.

Also present in the meeting were Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, his deputy Ahmad Amzad Hasim, secretary-general Datuk Ir. Dr. Siti Hamisah Tapsir, academicians and industry members.

Among other reasons, the meeting was held to fine-tune Science, Technology, Innovation and Economics (STIE) policies and future direction in efforts to make Malaysia a developed and high-tech nation.

Muhyiddin in his speech also called on all ministries to understand and utilise the latest STIs in the governance of their respective sectors, the statement said.

"Development of the country's new policies should be based on big data analytics and scientific research to remain relevant with current socio-economic developments," the statement said.

Muhyiddin also recommended that dependence on imported technology should be reduced to open up opportunities for local companies to research and develop technologies that are competitive and exportable to international markets, the statement read.

The statement further added that in efforts to strengthen the country's STIE capabilities, it was agreed that all stakeholders should be involved in the formulation of the National Policy on Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTIN) ‪2021-2030‬.

The meeting, among others, outlined the socio-economic drivers such as business and financial services, smart technology and systems, agriculture and forestry combined with science and technology drivers including 5G/6G, sensor and neurotechnologies.

-- BERNAMA