The Malaysian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation or MOSTI is the main agency that oversees the science and technology industries in Malaysia.
Background of MOSTI
Established in 1973, it was then known as the Ministry of Technology, Research and Local Government.
3 years later, it was changed to become the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment to better reflect the government’s focus on the science and technology fields.
This would continue to be the name of the ministry until 2004 when it would be renamed to the Ministry of Sciences, Technology and Innovation.
It must be noted that there was a major change to the ministry in 2018 after the Pakatan Harapan government came into power. Then, MOSTI was combined with certain departments from other ministries which are:
- The Green Technology and Energy segments from the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water or KeTTHA
- The Climate Change and Environment from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment or NRE
Together, they formed the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change or MESTECC in short.
After the sudden government change in 2020, MESTECC was once again revamped and then MOSTI reverted back to the name before the combination of departments.
The main role of MOSTI
Within MOSTI, there are many departments and sections that are involved in building up the science and technology fields of the country.
The ministry aims to create an environment in which advancements in science and technology can be an integral tool used to generate knowledge and through sustainable development improve the quality of life of Malaysians.
This is done by enhancing the competency of Malaysia in the 2 fields while enhancing the competitiveness of the country globally.
As such, it is important for the ministry to value add the industrial and agricultural sectors by harnessing STI or Science, Technology and Innovation together with human capital. It will also work towards using ICT (Information and Communications Technology) and Biotechnology to develop the new economy.
Divisions within MOSTI
In order to achieve the objectives set out by MOSTI, several departments and sections are created. This includes the:
Planning and STI Culturation Sector
This includes:
- Strategic Planning Division
- Strategic Data and Foresight Technology Division
- Malaysian Science and Technology Information Centre (MASTIC)
- STI and Culturation Services Division
- National Planetarium
- National Science Centre
Technology Development, Commercialization and STI Services Sector
Within this sector, agencies involved include:
- Strategic technology and S&T Applications Division
- National Nanotechnology Centre (NNC)
- Commercialization Division
- Fund Division
Management Sector
The Management sector mainly deals with more operational processes undertaken by the following:
- Human Resource Management Division
- Finance Division
- Development Division
- Account Division
- Information Technology Management Division
- Administration Division
Divisions & Units under Secretary General
This section involves the:
- Legal Unit
- Corporate Communication Unit
- Internal Audit Unit
- Integrity Unit
- International Division
Departments and agencies
The other departments and agencies involved include:
- The Atomic Energy Licensing Board (LPTA), or Lembaga Perlesenan Tenaga Atom
- Department of Chemistry Malaysia (JKM), or Jabatan Kimia Malaysia
- Malaysian Nuclear Agency, or Agensi Nuklear Malaysia
- Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA), or Agensi Angkasa Malaysia
