Science and technology needs the safe hands of Dr Mahathir

CONCERNS have been expressed on many occasions in the media over the current less-than-desirable state of science, technology and innovation (STI) and research, development and commercialisation (RD&C) in Malaysia.

I have myself written about the Academy of Sciences Malaysia’s Science Outlook 2015 and 2017 reports and concluded that the current status of our STI ecosystem is not one that engenders confidence for an “innovation driven, private sector led” economy. Neither is it an encouraging situation for the scientific community in Malaysia who are already disappointed by the lack of commitment to STI and RD&C in the 11th Malaysia Plan despite the emphasis on innovation.