KUALA LUMPUR: The government is looking to strengthen Malaysia’s research and development (R&D) ecosystem through more market-driven funding mechanisms and closer industry collaboration, says Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.
He said Malaysia is shifting from a “Made in Malaysia” to a “Made by Malaysia” approach as it seeks to strengthen value creation and drive economic upgrading.
While Malaysia’s R&D spending has reached about 1% of gross domestic product, or nearly RM20bil, he said the main challenge is turning research into commercial results.
“The issue is not just the amount of R&D but whether it leads to value capture in the country, including ownership of intellectual property and the ability of local firms to compete globally.
“What we (the government) want to do is actually make sure that we provide a capital market that can help support the development of local firms along the way by providing capital,” he said during a panel session at the University Research and Innovation Investment Summit 2026 here yesterday.
Amir Hamzah said the government is focusing on aligning research efforts with national priorities, including the New Industrial Master Plan, the National Semiconductor Strategy and the Energy Transition Roadmap, to attract investments and improve commercialisation prospects, reported Bernama.
He said capital is already available through initiatives such as the GEAR-uP programme, under which government-linked investment companies have committed RM120bil over five years, alongside about RM10bil channelled into venture and growth funds such as Dana Perintis, Dana Permaju and Dana Impak.
“Sometimes the product may be brilliant, but if you do not know how to position and sell it, investors will not come in,” he said.
