By Chang Lih Kang
Copyright malaysiakini
MP SPEAKS | When I meet young Malaysians, from university students to startup founders, one question comes up again and again: Can we really compete with the best in the world? My answer is always yes. But I also remind them that competing requires us to be bold, to take risks, and to believe in the value of our own ideas.Malaysia is ranked 34th out of 133 economies in the Global Innovation Index 2025. That puts us among the top third in the world, and within Asean, we remain one of the top three innovation economies. It is something to be proud of. But if I am honest, it is also a reminder that we are not yet where we want to be. Countries like Singapore and South Korea have surged ahead, and if we don’t push harder, we risk being left behind.Why innovation mattersFor me, innovation is not about gadgets or buzzwords. It is about the way ideas improve lives. A vaccine developed in a Malaysian lab that protects thousands of families. A farming solution that helps our paddy farmers double their yields. A digital platform that makes healthcare more affordable. These are not abstract things; they are the difference between stagnation and progress, between surviving and thriving.This is why I always say: research alone is not enough. Research and development (R&D) must lead to real products and services, to businesses that create jobs, to technologies that solve problems. Otherwise, good ideas remain locked away in academic journals, instead of shaping our daily lives.But we cannot ignore our challenges. Malaysia spends about one percent of gross domestic product (GDP) on R&D, compared to the OECD average of 2.4 percent. We have set ambitious targets – 3.5 percent gross domestic expenditure on R&D (GERD), and 70 percent business enterprise R&D expenditure (BERD) by 2030. But we are not there yet.I also hear from researchers who tell me they struggle to find industry partners. I hear from startups that their biggest hurdle is not the idea, but funding and scaling. These are honest frustrations. And as Minister, I take them seriously, because every good idea that fails to grow is a loss for Malaysia.That is why the government must step in to bridge these gaps. Through the National Technology and Innovation Sandbox, innovators can test new technologies in real-world settings. Through the Global Innovation Exchange, we help startups access international markets. And under the 13th Malaysia Plan, we are sharpening our national focus on R&D and innovation.At Nice 2025, we will launch the National Research, Development, Innovation, Commercialisation & Economy Action Plan (2025–2030). This is more than just another policy document – it is a commitment to align research, development, innovation, commercialisation, and entrepreneurship into a single, coherent pathway. Because the truth is, we cannot afford to keep treating these as separate silos.But let me be clear: The government cannot do this alone. Innovation is not a ministry project. It is a national mission. We need ministries working in unison. We need companies that are willing to invest in R&D, even when the returns are not immediate. We need universities that are open to working with industry, and we need communities that are open to new ideas. This is what I mean when I talk about a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.When people ask me what keeps me hopeful, I point to this spirit of collaboration. I have seen researchers in Penang working with farmers in Kedah. I have seen corporates backing student innovations from Johor. These are the sparks of change. What we need is to fan those sparks into a flame.Be inspired at Nice 2025From Oct 6-9 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, we are hosting Nice 2025. Some may think of it as just another government event. But to me, Nice is our national stage. It is where Malaysia shows the world what we are capable of. It is where our researchers, startups, corporates, and young innovators come together, not just to exhibit technologies, but to form partnerships, strike deals, and inspire Malaysians.If you are a student, come and see how innovation can shape your future. If you are an entrepreneur, come and connect with funders and collaborators. If you are a curious Malaysian, come and be inspired. Because this is not about government innovation – it is about our innovation.I often say that innovation is not about machines, it is about people. It is about us daring to imagine a better way of doing things and then having the courage to try. Malaysia’s story is still being written. And every innovation, every breakthrough, every collaboration is a line in that story.So, I invite you: join us at Nice 2025. See for yourself the ideas that are shaping Malaysia’s future. And more than that, be part of this journey.Because the future of Malaysia is not written in policies or plans alone, it is written in the imagination and action of its people. Let’s write it together.CHANG LIH KANG is Tanjong Malim MP and science, technology and innovation minister.The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
