Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) is undertaking a comprehensive review to formulate a new Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Act, said Minister Chang Lih Kang. He stated that the drafting process is complex, requiring thorough consideration from multiple perspectives to ensure the legislation is both effective and future-proof.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, a detailed study is being conducted on STI legal frameworks of developed and regional countries to identify best practices that can be adapted to Malaysia’s STI ecosystem. Minister Chang mentioned this during the oral question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. He was responding to a question from Lee Chean Chung (PH-Petaling Jaya) on when the ministry intends to table the new STI Act and the immediate measures being taken to achieve the target of allocating two per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for research and development expenditure.

Chang explained that key aspects being refined include comparative studies and benchmarking, legal harmonisation to address overlapping functions and roles among various government agencies, and the assessment of long-term implications. He emphasized that the act will have a significant impact on the governance of the nation’s STI sector. Therefore, its long-term implications for the government, including financial, human resource, and accountability aspects, must be carefully analysed.

He added that comprehensive engagement sessions are also being conducted with various stakeholders, including government agencies, industry players, research institutions, academics, and the public, to ensure the act being formulated is comprehensive, inclusive, and practical.