Malaysia Needs To Reinforce Technological Sovereignty Amid Global Uncertainty - Chang

SEMENYIH, April 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysia must reinforce its technological sovereignty to navigate growing geopolitical uncertainty and avoid reliance on external parties in times of crisis, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Chang Lih Kang.

He said the need has become more urgent amid rising global tensions, supply chain disruptions and intensifying technological rivalry among major powers, all of which could affect access to critical technologies.

“If the technology is not developed domestically and is owned by others, they may prioritise their own citizens,” he told reporters after launching the 2026 National Science Week programme at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, near here today.

Chang noted that past crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, underscored the importance of domestic capacity, particularly in vaccine development, to ensure sufficient national supply during emergencies.

He said Malaysia must move beyond being merely a consumer of technology and instead become a creator, in order to strengthen national resilience against future challenges.

Meanwhile, Chang said the 2026 National Science Week aims to attract 1.15 million participants nationwide, with a focus on fostering interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), especially among young people.

The minister said the programme will be rolled out in phases across five key zones - north, south, east, Sabah and Sarawak - and will include science carnivals and community outreach initiatives.

“We still face a shortage of STEM talent, particularly as the country attracts high-tech investments. We hope programmes like this will encourage more students to pursue STEM and help us achieve the target of 60 per cent participation in the field,” he said.

On national technology priorities, Chang highlighted artificial intelligence (AI) and energy transition as key drivers of future economic growth.

In his speech earlier, he also said the National Science Week is a flagship initiative aligned with the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2021-2030, aimed at embedding a culture of science and positioning it as the driver of economic development.

He added that platforms such as this are vital for developing a skilled workforce capable of harnessing emerging technologies like AI, which is now a key differentiator in the competitiveness of individuals and organisations.

-- BERNAMA