Pantai kundor: The Malaysia Innovation Foundation (YIM) is committed to expanding its focus on social innovation and technology matching to directly boost the income of local communities. Its chief executive officer Dr Sharmila Mohamed Salleh said YIM’s holistic approach, which includes pairing technologies with innovations, providing training, and supplying suitable equipment, offers the best solution to challenges faced by small-scale entrepreneurs.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Sharmila highlighted the struggles faced by local operators, such as weather dependency, limited facilities, and traditional methods that hinder productivity. Under the MyIS Komuniti programme, YIM aims to identify innovations that can be matched with appropriate technologies, emphasizing social innovation that encompasses research, replication, and its impact on both the economy and the community.
Dr Sharmila was speaking to reporters after the Southern Zone Innovation Tracing Programme under YIM’s flagship Malaysia Social Innovation Programme (MyIS Komuniti), along with the MaGRIs/MyIS Grassroots and Youth Innovative Challenge (YIC), held in Pantai Kundor. The programme was officially launched by Pantai Kundor state assemblywoman Tuminah Kardi.
Earlier in the day, Dr Sharmila visited four local projects, including traditional inang-inang food production in Kampung Paya Luboh, fibreglass boat manufacturing in Kampung Gelam, dried fish production in Kampung Balik Bukit, and a proposed site for nipah crab and mussel farming at the Sungai Lereh fishing jetty. She noted innovations such as improved fish-drying techniques that reduce dependence on sunlight and the development of child-friendly inang-inang snacks.
Dr Sharmila also urged innovators to apply for the remaining grants under this year’s MyIS programme, which has allocated RM6.725 million, comprising RM3 million for MyIS Komuniti, RM2 million for MaGRIs, and RM1.725 million for the Ruang Daya Cipta (RDC) initiative. Since its launch in 2015, the programme has benefited more than 200,000 innovators, with over RM50 million in support provided through equipment, training, advisory services, and comprehensive impact reporting. Only the 20 best applications will be selected in this round.
YIM is also seeking additional funding from the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) to further extend its reach to grassroots communities. Dr Sharmila emphasized the need for more resilient technologies to ensure income continuity during adverse weather conditions, stressing the importance of cross-agency collaboration to develop a complete value chain from research to market.