GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia risks being left behind in the high-value technology race if its local talent cannot keep pace with rapid technological change, says Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.
He said attracting investments and bringing in new technologies would not be enough unless the country also had the skilled workforce needed to create greater value from them.
“‘Made in Malaysia’ must eventually give way to ‘Made by Malaysia’, with local talent playing a bigger role in developing technology, innovation and intellectual property.
“We are no longer just clients or consumers but are the innovators and inventors who will change the landscape of technology even at the global stage,” he said during the launch of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Pilot Project at Komtar here yesterday.
Akmal said Penang was chosen for the pilot because of its strong electrical and electronics, semiconductor and high-tech manufacturing ecosystem.
It was announced in June that the government had allocated RM12mil for the pilot nationally, which aimed to reach more than 100,000 students between 2026 and 2030.
Akmal said Malaysia must prepare its talent from an early stage instead of waiting until industries face shortages of skilled workers.
He said STEM education at school was not merely about mathematics or science but also about developing students’ ability to think, solve problems and build confidence.
“Talent development needs to start earlier, from primary school to secondary school and be strengthened through higher education, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and industrial training,” he said.
Akmal added that the initiative was important as Malaysia worked towards producing 60,000 skilled engineers to strengthen its capabilities in areas such as chip design, advanced packaging, research and development and other high-value activities.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state welcomed the Economy Ministry’s support for the Penang STEM Talent Blueprint, which he said would provide students with a clearer pathway into the workforce from an early stage.
“Some students who finish SPM may already be able to start working because this programme prepares them from Form Four onwards,” Chow said.
