HIS Majesty the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, has emphasised the urgent need for Malaysia to modernise its education system across all levels, urging the integration of generative artificial intelligence tools to enhance learning outcomes and workforce readiness.
Speaking at the launch of the book Chronicling Themes in the Economic and Social History of Malaysia on Tuesday, His Royal Highness highlighted the importance of strengthening technical education to ensure graduates’ skills remain aligned with evolving industry demands.
“Modernising and improving the quality of education, for example, leveraging generative AI tools, should be a priority at all levels.
“The quality of our labour force will be critical in adapting effectively to future challenges. Institutional adjustments will also be required to arrest and reverse our chronic brain drain,” The Star reported him saying today.
The Perak Ruler noted that Malaysia’s ambition to achieve fully developed, high-income status requires adapting to a global environment shaped by economic fragmentation, rising populism, and emerging opportunities in services and productivity.
“If we succeed in making the bold domestic policy choices required to accelerate productivity growth and promote further structural shifts, we will be even better placed to take advantage of the opportunities these turbulent times present,” he added.
Sultan Nazrin also reflected on his earlier initiative establishing the Economic History of Malaysia Project at Universiti Malaya 25 years ago, which compiled historical economic accounts of Malaya’s GDP in the early 20th century.
Findings from the project were later published in his 2017 book Charting the Economy, and the project’s reach expanded in 2016 via a dedicated website featuring a comprehensive economic and population database and digitised British Colonial Office documents.
“The EHM website hosts articles by eminent scholars on the economic and social history of Malaysia. More than 60 have been uploaded thus far,” he said.
From these contributions, 35 were selected for the newly launched book, exploring themes of economic and social development as well as the evolution of states and cities.
Highlighting the value of historical understanding in policy-making, Sultan Nazrin said, “Policies are not conceived and implemented in a vacuum. Context matters. History matters. Culture matters, as does institutional capacity.”
The book traces Malaysia’s journey from colonial rule to independence, addressing pivotal moments including British administration of the tin and rubber industries, the Japanese occupation, the Emergency, the New Economic Policy, and the nation’s structural shift from agriculture to modern industry and services.
It also examines contemporary issues, such as the middle-income trap, challenges in education, the role of women in national development, the rise of Kuala Lumpur as a leading Asian city, and Penang’s emergence as a global hub for the electrical and electronics sector.
Sultan Nazrin concluded by expressing gratitude to the authors and publisher, stating, “I hope you will enjoy reading this book as much as I have enjoyed putting it together.” - December 2, 2025
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