KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17 — The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) in 2023 will focus on seven priorities that will play an important role in solving critical issues such as economic uncertainties, natural disasters, and the people’s quality of life.

Some of these priorities include the development of a prevention model for natural disasters, health and food security, a system to bridge the divide between rural and urban communities, and social innovation initiatives to boost the trajectory of minority households.

“The prevention model for natural disasters, health and national food security will be developed through the internet of things (IoT) technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and remote sensing as its main mechanism.

“We will bridge the technology access gap through smart systems to connect the rural and the urban and improve the socio-economics of the B40 groups, the disabled, elderly, the indigenous people, and the extreme poor through grassroots and local technology,” Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang said during his New Year’s speech at the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (MRANTI) Park this morning.

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He stressed the importance of formulating early responses to deal with current challenges like climate change and food security, data-driven science, technology and innovation (STI) foresight.

“This is to ensure that the state can prepare a more efficient mitigation and adaptation plan to face the challenges.

“Mosti’s role is important in providing a supportive ecosystem conducive to developing technology that can help the people and the country, especially in driving an economy based on innovation,” Chang said.

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Other priorities are to continue the MyHackathon programs, promote recognition of local technology in government procurement via the programme MySTI, promote the development and application of advanced technology, and strengthen the development of talent and the national workforce via the Upskilling, Deeptech and Futureskills programmes.

These priorities are in line with the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (DSTIN) 2021-2030 plan to transform Malaysia into a high-technology country by 2030.