Malaysia Must Create and Master Technology, Not Just Consume It, Says PM Anwar

SHAH ALAM, Sept 7 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for a comprehensive strengthening of Malaysia’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) ecosystem to nurture young talent capable of driving future economic growth and national competitiveness.

In a speech read out by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang at the 2026 National Science Challenge (NSC) YAB Prime Minister’s Challenge Trophy Final today, Anwar emphasized that Malaysia cannot remain a passive consumer of foreign technology, but must transform into a nation that creates, owns, and masters technological solutions.

“We want ideas born in schools today to grow into research, technology, innovation and enterprises that can solve real problems faced by the people and enhance Malaysia’s competitiveness globally,” Anwar said. “That is why the National Science Challenge (NSC) should not end when the trophy is presented. I want the talent identified through platforms such as this to continue to be developed and given pathways to go further.”

Anwar stressed that science education must move beyond rote formula memorization and examination results. Instead, it should cultivate critical thinking, open-mindedness, an eagerness to experiment, and the integrity to accept failure as a learning step—especially when confronting national challenges such as food security, energy supply, public health, water security, climate change, and artificial intelligence governance.

While Ministry of Education (MoE) data shows student enrolment in STEM increased to 50.83 per cent in 2024 from 40.95 per cent in 2021, Anwar pointed out that participation in pure sciences remains low at approximately 15.8 per cent, highlighting a gap between interest and deep academic readiness.

To bridge this gap, Anwar called on the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM), and MoE to build a continuous talent pipeline. He urged stakeholders to ensure promising participants—particularly from rural areas, Sabah, Sarawak, and low-income households—are consistently connected with mentors, laboratories, scholarships, and innovation networks.

–NMT