KUALA LUMPUR: Consumers need to have more faith in Malaysian-made products developed by local innovators.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau urged the public to support local entrepreneurs, stating that confidence needs to start from home before going global.
"If our country do not use it, who else would use it. We need to have confidence with our own innovators so that those from other countries are confident (with it too)," he said.
Tangau launched seven Malaysia Commercialisation Year (MCY) 2017 products which was funded by the ministry under its technofund.
These products, he said, were CamMuka - biometric facial forensics system from CyberSecurity Malaysia, Black Ginger from Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi), Reconfigurable Robot (Rero) from Malaysian Technology Development Corporation, terapi.my from Technology Malaysia Park, Tactical Communications Operation Management System (Taccoms) from National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM) and Environment Monitoring System from Technology Malaysia Park.
"All these products have been funded under the technofund and have been patent and ready to enter the market.
"It's truly an innovation and we ask the ministries that utilise such technologies be open to using the products as well as accepted by the consumers," he said.
He added that the government such start using the innovations to create awareness of its existence.
Tangau said the main challenge faced by entrepreneurs and innovators was entering the market.
He said it was difficult to penetrate the market if people were not confident with the products thus instilling the perception that it was not credible for use.
He said the ministry as we as himself will continue to promote and inform the public as well as Cabinet ministers about new innovations produced by local entrepreneurs and developers.
"This year alone, 133 products have been produced by the ministry. Last year was 130 and we are confident by 2020 we will be able to create 360 innovative products and commercialise it," he added.
Tangau made a special mention of Taccomms who emerged as MCY's Supreme Award (Overall Winner), stating that the invention that assists in the command, control, communication and coordination of troops for the military.
He expressed his hopes the Defence Ministry will use this product for the safety and security of the country.
He also spoke of CamMuka that was developed by Cyber Security Malaysia.
The technology, he said was able create 3D images of unclear Closed-Circuit Television images and use it as evidence in solving criminal cases and charge them in court.
These innovation, he said were the first of its kind in this world and would be effective in terms of our security for the country.
MCY this year is the second phase of the government's effort to advance the commercialisation of R&D output in order to propel the nation's science, technology and innovation agenda.