MOSTI Develops National Technology Sovereignty Framework To Protect Nation’s Critical Technologies

KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) is leading efforts to develop the National Technology Sovereignty Framework as a strategic government approach to identifying, developing, and protecting critical technologies vital to the country.

Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Dr Mohammad Yusof Apdal said the framework is being developed through a whole-of-government approach with relevant ministries and agencies, such as the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, to strengthen the nation’s capabilities in strategic technology areas.

He elaborated that the framework is also expected to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign technologies in critical sectors and bolster national resilience against geopolitical uncertainty and global supply chain disruptions.

“In an increasingly dynamic and challenging global geopolitical landscape, technology mastery is not only an engine of economic growth but a crucial element of our nation’s sovereignty, security, and resilience,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.

Mohammad Yusof was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar (PN-Kemaman) about MOSTI’s plans to collaborate with other ministries to develop several identified strategic technologies that could be adopted as part of a national agenda.

He said MOSTI is also strengthening cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education, research institutions, industry, and strategic companies through a demand-driven research approach as a step toward identifying technologies for adoption as part of the nation’s strategic approach.

Earlier, Mohammad Yusof said 798 local products had been approved to carry the MySTI (Use of Local R&D Products and Services) logo, generating government procurement value exceeding RM70 million from June 2023 to May 2026.

He was responding to Ahmad Samsuri’s question on a comprehensive impact assessment of existing fiscal incentives for the research and development (R&D) sector on increasing the rate of innovation in local industry and on the government’s latest policy to encourage multinational companies to carry out substantive R&D activities in Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA