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Najib with Lim Kok Wing University president Tan Sri Dr Lim Kok Wing (left) after his speech on Tuesday. Also seen is Minister of Science, Technology & Innovation Datuk Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili (right).
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21st July, 2010
CYBERJAYA: For innovation to flourish, the environment in which one innovates has to be optimum, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
“This means that the ecosystem must support and not repress innovation,” Najib said at the launch of the “Malaysia: Innovation Nation National Convention” held at the Lim Kok Wing University here yesterday.
“The actors in the ecosystem must have access to the right conditions that encourage and stimulate them, challenge them, to innovate. This is a difficult balance to achieve as there are so many factors that have to be looked at and addressed,” he said.
Najib, who is also Finance Minister, said the government was an important component of the innovation ecosystem.
“There is a remark about Little Napoleon. We cannot have Little Napoleon who does not understand innovation. Napoleon is quite brilliant as a nucleus strategist but we do need people who actually understand what needs to be done to support innovation.
“It is because the role of the public servant is so important in supporting the ecosystem that will nurture the innovation to take place,” he added.
Najib said the government has embarked on a government transformation programme which was already beginning to show favourable results.
“We cannot stop at this… more has to be done. We have to bring innovation into government and government into innovation,” he said, adding that it would involve every level of the public sector.
The Prime Minister also said decision makers in the government must become conversant with innovation.
“This will enable them to formulate frameworks, regulations and policies that support innovation and not hinder its growth.
“Without a favourable regulatory environment, innovation cannot stoke economic growth,” he said.
As to prosper the ecosystem, Najib said the education system also required a creative thinking ability.
“Creativity, unlike what was thought previously, is a highly organised and systematic activity.
“Michelangelo, the brilliant Italian painter and sculptor of the 16th Century, was so methodical and structured in his creative process that his diary almost reads like a scientific journal.
“His ability to create masterpieces was built on preciseness, no more no less, similar to that seen in high-technology industries.
“For the innovation ecosystem to bring benefit to the country, we have to nurture this form of creative thinking in our education system. To nurture precise society,” Najib added.
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