KOTA KINABALU: A group that created a modified paper-making toolkit using banana stem, has earned RM100,000 commercial grant under the Mainstreaming Grassroots Innovations (MaGRIs) initiative.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Madius Tangau presented the team, called 'D'Banana Craft' from Tamparuli district, with the grant today.
The financial aid, from Malaysian Innovation Foundation, is to assist them to develop the business and generate income for village folks in their area.
The use of banana stem waste is also expected to reduce pollution caused by dumping and burning of the item.
At the same time, team leader Asmawati Anifiah has also appointed the Foundation's 2017/18 Grassroots Innovation ambassador where she is to become an icon for innovation nationwide and help promote the Foundation's initiatives.
Madius in his speech reminded that Malaysians have to be able to adapt in order to become the top 20 best countries in the world as targeted in the 2050 National Transformation (TN50).
He said this meant that talents needed will no longer be just jobseekers but also job creators moving forward.
They would need to know how to 'learn, un-learn, re-learn and co-create' to embrace innovation, he added.