KUALA LUMPUR – Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has assured that the academic and scientific community will be given the allocations needed to facilitate an innovative future, if he is given the mandate to lead the country as prime minister.
The PH prime ministerial candidate stressed that he will put in the effort to eradicate the stereotypes that claim Malaysia is limited by an “agricultural society which can only advance to a certain level”.
“Not only will a government that I lead provide the funding and facilities (scientists and researchers) needed, but we will also make sure that our universities and schools are better equipped to foster our great minds,” he said.
“Holding them (local institutes) to higher standards will keep (our innovators) from leaving for opportunities presented by the wider world.”
Anwar said this in his speech as a guest-of-honour during the sixth Tan Sri Dr B.C. Sekhar Memorial Public Lecture 2022 at the Royal Lake Club here last night.
The event was sponsored by the Vinod Sekhar Foundation, headed by PETRA Group chairman and chief executive Datuk (Dr) Vinod Sekhar, who is the son of the late B.C. Sekhar, an academician who devoted his lifetime towards achieving scientific and academic excellence.
It was organised by the Malaysian Scientific Association and supported by Sime Darby Plantation, Lee Foundation, the Malaysian Palm Oil Board, the Malaysian Palm Oil Council, the Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council and United Plantations Bhd among others.
Anwar also lamented the apparent brain drain faced by the nation, claiming that the issue is exacerbated by “a dismal and declining education system” forcing great minds to go elsewhere to further their skills.
“We have great universities and institutions for higher education and training, yet they live under the looming cloud of academic cowardice and the toxic politicisation of knowledge.
“Inconsistent funding and the uncertainty of the government’s whims likewise shackled our great minds.
“How can we be surprised (if) we lose (academicians) to more accepting and fruitful climates?” he said.
Commenting on the legacy of the late B.C. Sekhar, Anwar labelled the rubber industry revolutionist as a “man who defied stereotypes” and who pushed the boundaries of imagination on what can be achieved by a scientist.
“A nation that can produce a man like Dr Sekhar should not presently find itself in such a dire situation, especially with regards to science, research, technology and development,” he said.
The event also included a panel discussion on leveraging frontier technologies for climate-smart agriculture.
It featured notable figures such as Malaysian Palm Oil Board research and development deputy director-general Zainab Idris, Malaysian Rubber Board production development director Mohd Nasaruddin Mohd Aris, as well as Spruce Capital Partners co-founder and managing partner Ganesh M. Kishore. – The Vibes, October 22, 2022
