MOSTI To Focus On Development Of High-impact R&D Startups

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (MOSTI) will focus on development of startups conducting high-impact research and development (R&D) to improve the country’s competitiveness.

Its minister, Chang Lih Kang said the new strategy is vital to ensure Malaysia emerges among the best technology creators in the ASEAN region and is competitive globally.

“The country’s main challenge lies in the fact that only 0.25 per cent of 1.1 milion businesses in Malaysia actively conduct R&D.

“Therefore, the government needs to transition to increasing startups involved in high impact R&D in the country,” he said when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2026 at the policy level for MOSTI in Dewan Rakyat today.

Chang said R&D financing should focus on the country’s strategic fields such as semiconductors, electric and electronics, biotechnology and artificial intelligence so that comparable economic generation can be created.

He also shared that the government has mobilised the Malaysia Science Endowment Fund with an allocation of RM20 million for 2026 in an effort to boost innovation financing.

Also, private investors have invested up to RM110 million in the fields of semiconductors, aerospace, medicine and deeptech, he added.

-- BERNAMA