KUALA LUMPUR: The solution to almost all of the country's problems lies not within politics, but with science, technology and innovation (STI).
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said failure to harness STI to fulfill the national mandate will contribute to failure as a government and society.
"Out there, science (endeavours) is in abundance but under-utilised, while the ever-increasing use of technology is not directed towards nation-building.
"This is because we do not think scientifically. We are either too lazy to think or we stop thinking entirely. We separate science from our policy. We distance ourselves from technology, which is the best instrument for societal progress.
"(Nevertheless), all of this will come to an end. I am very committed to making the national development a scientific-based one, including using STI to encourage innovation and to solve the increasingly complex problems we face," he said at the launch of the National Innovation and Creative Economy (NICE) 2017 expo at Technology Park, here today.
Present were Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau; his deputy Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Mohama Diah; Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah; and Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Noor Rashid Ibrahim.
Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said a sustainable innovation ecosystem could contribute to the progress of a nation, with the main parameters including the factors of government, institution, industry as well as research and development (R&D), funds, infrastructure and markets.
"To ensure that STI is mainstreamed at all levels and sectors, we must take into account the STI aspect in the drafting of every national policy so that it may be translated into each programme.
"I urge all ministries to take relevant action regarding this matter. I was made to understand that Mosti is drafting the national STI master plan and policy for a 10-year period, expected to be completed next year-end," he said.
He said the police must also use an innovative approach in combating crimes especially those comitted in cyberspace.
"If the police do not use innovation, it does not matter how big their manpower is because criminals will continue committing crimes (using unconventional methods).
"For instance, the Common Gaming Houses Act was introduced in 1953 but it is no longer relevant now or for the next 50 years because the offences are not committed publicly, but online," he noted.
Zahid said the increase in the Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) from 1.26 per cent in 2014 to 1.3 per cent in the following year, is still low compared to some developed countries.
"The implementation of research activities that are consistent with industrial demands in significant fields will be emphasised through strategic partnerships between the government, industry and academia.
"All of this will be done through platforms such as the Public Private Research Network, Steinbeis Malaysia, SIRIM-Fraunhofer and PaTCOM Ventures," he said.
The planning of human capital development for the future, Zahid said, must take place now and must take into account jobs that have yet to exist.
"In line with this, primary school students must master the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) field to face employment challenges in the future.
"The government is in the midst of drafting the National Stem Strategic Plan of Action, which is aimed at strengthening the national Stem ecosystem and producing a sufficient number of professionals in the field to fulfil future job market demands," he added.