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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia can no longer afford to simply be a passive consumer of technology
"We cannot remain forever as users of technology created by others. We must become a country that creates, owns, and masters technology," he said, according to the New Straits Times.
The prime minister's speech was delivered by Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Datuk Chang Lih Kang at the National Science Challenge 2026 closing ceremony in Shah Alam today, 7 September.
Anwar said Malaysia's ability to create and master technology was increasingly important as the country faces complex challenges, including food security, climate change, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence.
Anwar noted that science education must go beyond memorising formulas for exams
"Science must shape the way we think — critical of facts, open to ideas, willing to experiment, and honest when an experiment does not succeed," he said.
This vision tied directly into the event's core theme of building a resilient and inclusive future for the nation.
Anwar said that inclusiveness meant ensuring every Malaysian child had a fair shot at a future in science, regardless of their family background or where they went to school.
Anwar also pointed out that technological advancement must always stay grounded in human values and integrity
He urged future creators to act with compassion and constantly question who would genuinely benefit from new solutions and who might be left behind.
Anwar said Malaysia needs fresh STEM talent capable of turning ideas developed in schools into real-world innovations that can strengthen the country's global competitiveness.
