Poor pay, inadequate infrastructure, and underinvestment in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are among the primary factors contributing to the brain drain in these sectors, according to Kampung Tunku state assemblywoman Lim Yi Wei.
She said this has a domino effect, leading to a lack of innovation in deep tech within the country.
Similar challenges also make it difficult to attract skilled Malaysians in STEM fields working abroad back to employment at home.
“Especially in the public or higher education sector when it comes to science, there are issues like low pay, lack of facilities and equipment, limited opportunities for commercialisation, and inflexibility.
“I must apologise on behalf of the government. To a certain extent, there is a mindset of ‘you do it first, then we fund you.’
“But this creates a chicken-and-egg problem because if you do not fund it, how can you expand your R&D (research and development)? If you do not show results, but lack the funding, you cannot create a prototype, and thus this becomes a cycle.
“This may explain, in part, the lack of deep tech innovation in Malaysia,” she said in her welcoming speech for the PJ Startup Festival 2024 today.
The festival is scheduled to be held today and tomorrow, with free admission to the public. It is hosted by the Kampung Tunku state constituency’s office.
However, Lim noted that the Federal government has changed its policy and outlook on the field, with various initiatives in place to develop complex industries in the country. These efforts aim to move the country up the global value chain and achieve high-income nation status.
This includes the recently concluded Malaysia Commercialisation Year Summit, which has been instrumental in enhancing the nation’s commercialisation ecosystem, especially for R&D products.
She said at this year’s festival, with the attendance of the Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo as well as Human Resources Minister Steven Sim, more insights can be provided on these efforts.
“We hope this year’s session will be interesting, as we will be bringing you the Minister of Digital later today, and tomorrow, YB Steven Sim, who is the Minister of Human Resources.
“We hope that this will provide a more comprehensive and rounded picture of where the federal government is heading as a whole, not only limited to the startup and innovation ecosystem, but also in terms of planning, especially when it comes to education because we have to start from a young age,’’ Lim said.
She added that the programme highlights for the two day festival include topics on the digital economy, with a focus on being more inclusive, which means engaging with communities and helping small and medium enterprises digitalise.
Lim also briefly explained that branding for the PJ startup Festival is aimed to keep it accessible and more focus towards helping businesses get off the ground.
“We call it the PJ Startup because it takes place in PJ, but it has always been open to everyone.
“There are also reasons why we have never expanded it to the Selangor Startup Festival, as we want to keep it low-key, with a low barrier to entry. It is part of our branding, giving it a cosy, grassroots feel.
“It all started as just an idea, and in a way, the PJ Startup Festival is a startup in itself. We are not an official commercial entity; it began with an idea, formed a team, and then we ran with the programme.
“Over the course of a few years, we have attracted people, startups, and agencies who return each year, increasing their support and contributing through their own ecosystems,’’ she said.
