Sharpening skills for Vision 2020

Lim Pui Huen highlights Malaysian policy initiatives on science and technology.

Several recent developments in Malaysia have underscored the government's seriousness of purpose with regard to its science and technology policy. Greater emphasis on science and technology development is seen as vital to prime minister Mahathir Mohamad's aim of achieving industrialized nation status for Malaysia in 25 years, popularly called Vision 2020.

First, the Academy of Sciences, Malaysia, was officially inaugurated. A few days later, the ministry of finance designated 21 research institutes as approved institutions whereby the private sector would be allowed double-taxation deductions when using their services. Following that, the minister for education unveiled a 10-year blueprint to promote technical education.

All these measures are part of the government's strategy to strengthen its science and technology policy, elements of which include:

.Development of the national scientific potential and science and technology self-reliance;

.Development of Research and Development infrastructure and centers of excellence;

.Human resource development;

.Promoting technology transfers; and

.Commercialization of research results.

The new Academy of Sciences will be no ivory tower but will have the long-term objective of harnessing science and technology for development. One of its most important tasks will be to act as a consultative body to advise the government on strategic areas. Its establishment is perhaps long overdue as Malaysia has a scientific community of some depth. There are a number of research institutes of long standing that have a history of solid achievements in their fields. The oldest of these is the Institute of Medical Research, founded in 1900. It has done pioneering work in research on tropical diseases. Research institutes such as the Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia, Palm Oil Research Institute of Malaysia, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, have produced innovative research that has maintained Malaysia's lead in their respective sectors.

While agriculture continues to be a significant component of the economy, comprising 16 percent of GDP, Malaysia has been steadily moving towards a policy of industrialization so that the manufacturing sector now comprises 31.5 percent of GDP and earnings from manufactured goods amount to 78 percent of total export earnings.

Technology-related research institutes have been established to meet these new needs. They include the Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia, Nuclear Technology Research Institute, and the National Remote Sensing Center. Industrialization, especially in high-tech industries, has increased the need for technology. Indeed, the transfer of technology has been one of the issues with investing countries like Japan. The implementation of major infrastructure projects will also increase the need for science and technology applications.

New projects include the Second Link between Singapore and Johor, the Bakun Dam in Sarawak, the international airport at Sepang, and, most recently, the development of a new national capital to be named Putrajaya. These developments have stretched available resources and highlighted two pressing problems. Firstly, the need for science and technology manpower at all levels and secondly the need for stepping up R & D. Of the two, the latter is more easily tackled.

Here, the Academy of Sciences has an important role in helping to identify research priorities. The National Council for Scientific Research and Development has been allocated M$600 million to promote research under the current Sixth Malaysia Plan. The finance ministry's move to allow double taxation deductions when using the services of approved research institutes and universities, will enable companies without in- house facilities to invest in R & D in cooperation with established Malaysian institutions.

The problem of skilled manpower requires a longer term solution and the skills gap, if not resolved, has the potential to impede economic growth. However, education in Malaysia, especially higher education, has complex ethnic overtones. Educational issues such as student intake, faculty recruitment and medium of instruction, have a tendency to turn into political issues. The educational shortcomings Malaysia faces is reflected in the literacy rate, which is one of the lowest in ASEAN.

Education Minister Najib Tun Razak is in the process of drafting a new Education Act which will address some of these problems.

One of the key issues will be the role of the English language. Proficiency in English is recognized as a requisite for the acquisition of scientific knowledge and for international communication. The new act would allow English to be used as the medium of instruction for certain purposes. However, extending the use of English has raised the concern of Malay academics so much so that both the prime minister and the deputy prime minister have issued statements reaffirming the central role of Bahasa Malaysia as the national language.

In the meantime, steps are being taken to enlarge the science and technology base. The cabinet has approved a 10-year blueprint to promote technical education which would take effect next year. The plan would include the introduction of technical subjects in secondary schools and the upgrading of vocational and technical schools. The intake of science and engineering students would be progressively increased from 25 to 60 percent. By the year 2000, student numbers would be increased to 20,000 in each of the eight universities.

A related topic is the problem of brain drain as there are large numbers of Malaysians working in other countries, especially Singapore. However, a tight labor market has brought about healthy increases in local salary levels while the high cost of living has reduced the attractiveness of higher earnings in Singapore.

Although there is a tendency in Malaysia to attribute policy initiatives to Dr. Mahathir, there is no doubt that the wide spectrum of developments in science and technology and the determination with which they are being pursued, bear the firm imprint of his hand. After all, how many prime ministers have a Science Adviser attached to their department? Vision 2020 is Dr. Mahathir's articulation of the future, and he has a very clear sense of direction towards his goal.

Lim Pui Huen is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore and Associate Editor of Trends.