MALAYSIA’S biggest challenges in advancing science and technology are not technical but mindset-related, says Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Chang Lih Kang.
“Ignorance, lack of confidence and fear of new technologies are the main barriers holding the country back,” he said at a recent event, where he delivered a presentation.
Titled “AI & Malaysia’s Innovation Future: Talent, Technology and National Competitiveness”, the presentation was part of the TECHTalks session held in conjunction with the launch of National Science Week 2026 at the University of Nottingham Malaysia on April 14.
Chang also pointed to cynicism towards Malaysia’s own capabilities as a key challenge.
Citing Malaysia’s interest in exploring nuclear energy as part of its green transition, he noted that the proposal had been met with scepticism and negative reactions online.
“In terms of technological capabilities, we are capable,” he stressed, adding that many countries, including developing nations such as Bangladesh, are already exploring nuclear energy.
Chang asserted that Malaysians should have greater confidence in local expertise, pointing to Malaysian engineers already contributing to high-level work in global technology sectors, including aerospace systems.
“There is a Turkish aerospace company that has set up an office in Cyberjaya. They design avionics, the brains of jets, and they employ 150 Malaysian engineers.
“Yet Malaysians still believe we do not have the talent for nuclear,” he said.
He also underscored the importance of ambition and urgency in developing national technological capability.
Drawing a comparison with China, he said China had launched its first locally made satellite decades earlier - in 1975 and 1978 - highlighting how far Malaysia, which plans to launch its first locally manufactured remote sensing satellite by 2028, still has to go in the space technology race.
On artificial intelligence (AI), Chang said fears of job displacement are not unique to Malaysia, but have historically accompanied major technological shifts.
“AI is powerful, but it cannot replace everything.
“Students must embrace and master AI rather than fear it. While AI will disrupt jobs, it will not replace human judgement, experience or physical skills entirely.
“Instead of fearing it, students should proactively learn how to use AI effectively. People who know how to use AI will replace those who don’t,” he said.
