Malaysia Poised To Lead Region In Innovation - Fadillah

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is poised to lead the region in innovation, digital transformation, and talent development, guided by the Malaysia MADANI framework which ensures that technology serves humanity, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

He said that under the framework, the nation’s direction is steered by a clear principle — technology must uplift communities, broaden opportunities, and strengthen values, not replace them.

“Technology must serve humanity. It must uplift communities, broaden opportunity, and strengthen values, not replace them.

“We are not pursuing progress for the sake of modernity alone. We are building a future that is innovative in capability, inclusive in impact and sustainable in purpose,” he said when launching the Selangor Techsphere Summit 2025 here today.

He said the summit, held under the banner of Hannover Messe, reflects the level of recognition Selangor and Malaysia have achieved in meeting international standards, positioning the nation as a trusted partner, a regional hub and a competitive player in the global innovation economy.

Fadillah, who is also Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, said innovation must be inclusive and accessible to all Malaysians, not just confined to laboratories, boardrooms or policymakers.

“It must belong to every Malaysian, the students, the entrepreneurs, the engineers, the educators, the problem solvers and the dreamers. A great nation is not built by technology alone. It is built by people who refuse to stop learning, thinking and building together,” he said.

He also commended the Selangor government and Selangor Technical Skills Development Centre (STDC) for creating a platform that brings together industry, academia and global partners to drive industrial transformation.

Meanwhile, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, in his welcoming remarks, said the inaugural summit is not only a conference but also a launchpad for new opportunities and partnerships. 

“To see world-class innovators, industry leaders, and our next generation of talent gathered here in Kuala Lumpur fills me with pride and excitement. Selangor welcomes the world to experience our commitment to advanced manufacturing, clean technology and the growth of skilled talent.

“This is where ideas become solutions and ambition becomes progress. We are not waiting for the future. We are shaping it right here, together with global partners and Malaysian innovators,” he said.

The two-day summit, hosted by the Selangor government and co-organised by the STDC in partnership with Deutsche Messe, is gathering more than 2,000 delegates and visitors from over 20 countries, including leaders from ASEAN, China, Japan, South Korea, Europe and the Middle East.

The event features top global and regional exhibitors, including Siemens, Mercedes-Benz, KNX, Festo and other leading innovators in advanced technology.

The gathering marks a significant milestone as Malaysia accelerates its transition into an advanced manufacturing and technology-driven economy, driven by automation, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), smart factories, 5G systems, sustainable industry frameworks and talent upskilling.

-- BERNAMA