KUCHING (June 2): Malaysia is on the verge of becoming a high income nation through the use of technology and digitization as part of the national Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) policy which has been launched yesterday July 1, 2021.

The policy aims to increase the country’s readiness to use the 4IR, while supporting the country’s development policies such as the Vision for Shared Prosperity 2030 (SPV 2030) and Malaysia’s five-year plans.

In addition, the national 4IR policy prepares the main guidelines and strategic direction of the ministries and agencies in the development of policies and action plans to optimize the distribution of resources and the coordination of the implementation in the issues relating to emerging technologies that will benefit individuals, public and private. sector.

It also discusses the risks associated with 4IR technologies while preserving Malaysian values ​​and culture.

Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Minister Dato ‘Sri Mustapa bin Mohamed said at the policy’s virtual launch in Kuala Lumpur that Malaysians are seeing profound changes in all aspects of life due to the Covid pandemic -19.

“The pandemic has created many challenges. As Malaysia embarks on its journey towards greater digitalization and sustainable development, more effort needs to be made to ensure that we stay on top of current trends to remain competitive in the future ”, a- he declared.

Thus, the Covid-19 pandemic has led to a major realignment of the Malaysian economy, notably in the form of new economic models and the overhaul of production methods as well as consumption preferences.

To ensure Malaysia receives optimal benefits from 4IR, Mustapa said the government has developed the national 4IR policy in anticipation of emerging developments.

He also said that the policy not only provides an overall direction that steers the country towards the 4IR, but also provides guidance and promotes consistency in the delivery of the 4IR program, in addition to managing the potential risks that may arise from the 4IR.

“The national 4IR policy serves to help leverage the innovation and ethical use of 4IR technologies for the strategic socio-economic transformation of the country by harnessing this technological revolution,” he said.

While the 4IR involves the transformation of the entire ecosystem, across and within businesses, industries, society and countries, it emphasizes and shapes how technology and society coexist. and contribute to each other.

Indeed, the government is seizing the opportunity to bring about a transformation that will ensure that industries and society will work better, smarter and more harmoniously with each other, while protecting the environment and leading society towards a future. better.

“The national 4IR policy will be supported by the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint, which was launched this year on February 19, and they will serve as guidance documents for Malaysians to harness the potential of 4IR,” said Mustapa.

He further explained that the national 4IR policy, which is governed by the national digital economy and a 4IR council, which has been established to drive and ensure the effective implementation of initiatives that cut across various ministries and agencies.

Indeed, the government recognizes the benefits that everyone could derive from operating 4IR to achieve Malaysia’s long-term goals outlined in the country’s national policies and with all the potential benefits that 4IR will bring to Malaysia.

The government therefore hopes that the national 4IR policy will be able to guide Malaysians to forge their path in embracing and harnessing the potential of 4IR to achieve balanced, responsible and sustainable growth as well.

The rakyat will benefit from a better quality of life as technologies will be used to achieve a better work-life balance, greater convenience, safety and security, a transformation of employment into added value and higher wages, better social well-being and environmental sustainability.

Businesses will also become more productive through 4IR, as they will be more competitive and innovative in their offerings, business operations, and delivery of value to consumers.

Also during the launch of the policy, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Khairy Jamaluddin, said that the policy demonstrates the government’s commitment to achieve the digital revolution, and that it will boost efforts to implement the 4IR program and harness the transformation of technology for the socio-economic development of the people and the nation.

For him, the policy, which is based on a national approach through citizen-private-public partnerships, will address and optimize the challenges and opportunities that the digital age will have on the economy, society and environmental development of the country.

“A comprehensive 4IR policy is needed to provide and equip the rakyat with 4IR knowledge and skills while increasing the productivity of the workforce. The World Bank has reported that human skills are increasingly being replaced by technology-driven productivity, ”

“This is why it is important for our staff to harness 4IR technology and embark on digital innovation to thrive in a rapidly changing work environment,” said Khairy.

With the introduction of the policy, Khairy believes that the nation’s competitiveness will be further enhanced through higher productivity while coupled with the adoption of emerging technologies, the nation’s industries will thrive as well.

Although 4IR is more related to disruptive technologies, Khairy said the policy also highlights strategies that will strike the right balance between the need to make technological advancements while solving social problems by safeguarding the moral and cultural values ​​of society. Malaysian.

The 4IR National Policy describes four policy axes, 16 strategies and 32 national initiatives, which set the direction of all ministries and agencies to align their plans with 4IRs and emerging technologies.

Each policy axis is supported by personalized strategies and initiatives targeting business, society and government, given the interdependence of each group to improve the country’s 4IR readiness.

The four main axes of the 4IR national policy are to equip the rakyat with 4IR knowledge and skills, to forge a connected nation through the development of digital infrastructures, future-proof regulations to be agile in the face of technological change and accelerate innovation and adoption of 4IR technology.

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