PUTRAJAYA, Aug 5 (The Star) -- The next driver for the Malaysian economy will be innovation, said Minister of Science,Technology and Innovation, Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili.

He said an innovation-driven economy will enable the nation to further develop its science and technology sector. making it a force to be reckoned with globally.

“This needs to happen if the country aspires to surge ahead of countries already famous for their science and technology prowess, like South Korea and Japan,” he said.

Another crucial factor to achieving such prowess is to stem or reverse Malaysia’s brain drain — it’s loss of experise to other nations.

Ongkili hoped a fledgling innovation economy in the country would open up opportunities for local talents, thus reducing the brain-drain problem.

However, he said, his ministry is also reaching out to talented Malaysian overseas to encourage them to share their knowledge and expertise with their counterparts in the science and technology sector at home.

Certain research areas, such as aerospace, cybersecurity and nuclear power, could do with contributions from our talented scientists residing overseas, Ongkili said.

“We want them to know that there are opportunities here for them to play a vital part in,” he said. Tweaks The ministry has modified its brain-gain programme to make it more appealing to Malaysian experts working overseas. Ongkili said that besides offering better monetary rewards, it is also leveraging on social capital to woo these people to work for the country.

“Many of them have built lives overseas and it would be unfair to expect them to uproot themselves and come home,” he said.

Instead, the ministry is coaxing these experts to team up with scientists in Malaysia, in order to effect a transfer of knowledge.

According to Ongkili, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry will be consulted for more opinions on how the brain-gain programme can be improved.

His ministry, he said, keeps in touch with Malaysian embassies around the world, which helps it identify potential Malaysians who can contribute to the science and technology sector.

“We are widening our search for high-quality talents, Ongkili said. “But it is not just about numbers; we want quality too.”

Extra

As an added measure to encourage innovative thinking among Malaysians, the ministry will be rolling out the National Innovation Foundation soon, and has declared 2010 as the year of creativity and innovation.

These measures, Ongkili said, will provide a platform for any Malaysian to present ideas.

“We are a creative lot and I’m looking forward to seeing what comes up,” he added.