Achieving self-reliance in defence and security is a crucial goal for any nation, and Malaysia is no exception. The Defence White Paper (2020) highlighted the vital role of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) in strengthening Malaysia’s defence capabilities and securing its future.
STI is key to a nation’s stability and security as it drives advancements across various sectors, from energy production to defence. For Malaysia, leveraging STI means increasing efficiency and sustainability in energy production, reducing dependence on external sources. This would help insulate the country from global market fluctuations, making it more resilient in times of economic or political crises.
Additionally, advancements in environmental sustainability can safeguard Malaysia’s natural resources, ensuring that environmental issues do not become potential national security threats. This is particularly important given the increasing challenges posed by climate change.
Technological innovations in food security could enhance Malaysia’s agricultural productivity, ensuring a reliable food supply even during global disruptions. As demonstrated during the Covid-19 pandemic, STI can also play a critical role in public health, enabling rapid responses to crises such as the development of vaccines and digital health solutions.
Despite recognising the importance of STI, Malaysia faces several challenges in fully utilising its potential. A major issue is underinvestment in STI. The country currently allocates only around 1.1 per cent of its GDP to research and development (R&D), far below the levels seen in countries like Singapore and Turkey.
This underinvestment weakens Malaysia’s ability to innovate, which in turn hampers both its economic growth and preparedness in defence. Additionally, the country’s STI landscape is constrained by a brain drain, as many highly skilled professionals leave Malaysia for better opportunities abroad. This further limits the country’s ability to build a strong and resilient STI ecosystem.
A comparison of Malaysia’s STI landscape with Singapore and Turkey reveals significant differences.
Singapore serves as a model for STI investment and development, consistently allocating over 2 per cent of its GDP to R&D. The country has implemented clear policies prioritising innovation and is driven by a world-class education system that produces top-tier scientists and engineers. Singapore also excels at attracting global talent.
For Malaysia, the lesson is clear: a long-term commitment to STI investment and talent retention is essential to remain competitive. The country must foster a more supportive environment for innovation by offering greater opportunities for researchers and scientists to work locally, ensuring the best minds do not leave for better opportunities abroad.
Turkey offers another valuable case study, particularly in defence. Like Malaysia, Turkey has focused on self-reliance in defence, making significant strides in developing indigenous technologies, such as drones and cybersecurity solutions.
Turkey’s investment in R&D for military technologies and strong public-private partnerships have positioned it as a global leader in defence exports. Malaysia can learn from Turkey’s approach to strengthening public-private collaboration, which would help foster innovation in defence and reduce reliance on foreign defence equipment.
By improving partnerships between the government, industry, and academia, Malaysia could develop a more resilient local defence industry, capable of meeting the nation’s needs without relying heavily on external suppliers.
While Malaysia’s STI landscape faces challenges, it does have several strengths that can be built upon. The country has established key STI institutions, including the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) and the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (MRANTI), which support and promote innovation across various sectors.
Additionally, Malaysia’s geographical location in Southeast Asia offers a strategic advantage for regional collaboration on STI. The government has also introduced several supportive policies, such as the 12th Malaysia Plan and the National STI Policy (NSTIP), which provide a solid framework for future growth.
However, Malaysia must address several critical weaknesses. Continued underinvestment in R&D limits the country’s ability to innovate and commercialise new technologies. Malaysia’s ongoing brain drain further exacerbates this issue.
Without addressing this talent gap, Malaysia will struggle to develop the advanced research and technological capabilities needed to compete globally. Another significant weakness is the lack of collaboration between academia, industry, and government.
Additionally, Malaysia lags behind in the development of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and cybersecurity, all of which are crucial for future defence strategies.
Despite these challenges, Malaysia has numerous opportunities to capitalise on. By forging international collaborations with global leaders such as Japan, South Korea, and the United States, Malaysia can accelerate its STI development. Emerging fields like AI, biotechnology, and quantum computing offer exciting new opportunities for innovation in both civilian and defence sectors.
Malaysia also has the potential to position itself as a regional leader in STI within Asean, fostering partnerships that could drive technological advancements across Southeast Asia.
However, several threats must be mitigated for Malaysia to realise its STI ambitions. Geopolitical tensions and trade restrictions could limit access to advanced technologies. The growing threat of cyberattacks also poses a significant risk to the country’s digital infrastructure.
Economic constraints present another challenge, particularly in sustaining long-term STI investments. Competing countries like Singapore continue to outpace Malaysia in innovation and technological development.
To move forward, Malaysia must increase its R&D investment to at least 2 per cent of GDP, focusing on high-impact sectors such as AI, cybersecurity, and renewable energy. Establishing a centralised STI-defence research hub is another crucial step, enabling collaboration between the government, academia, and industry to develop indigenous defence technologies.
Strengthening talent retention through competitive salaries, career development opportunities, and research grants will help mitigate the brain drain. This will ensure Malaysia has the skilled workforce needed to drive its STI ambitions. Finally, fostering international partnerships with nations possessing advanced STI capabilities will enable Malaysia to fast-track its technological development.
Malaysia has the potential to leverage STI to enhance national security and achieve self-reliance in defence. However, to realise this, the country must significantly increase its investment in R&D, address talent retention challenges, and strengthen collaborations both domestically and internationally.
By doing so, Malaysia can position itself as a leader in STI within the region, securing a more resilient and prosperous future.
Col Suresh K. Vijayaratnam is a senior officer in the Royal Malaysian Air Force and is currently attending the National Resilience College, PUSPAHANAS, Putrajaya.
The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the writer’s and do not necessarily represent that of Twentytwo13.
