KUALA LUMPUR, 18 Aug 2016 – The Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) has
announced that the Internet of Things (IoT) would be a key enabler for the new economy.
The new economy is defined as the transition from a manufacturing-based to an innovation-based
economy; while IoT refers to connected devices via the Internet, seamlessly transmitting data to
create new information and knowledge.
Internet of Things
IoT is the next evolution of the Internet that facilitates greater distribution of information and knowledge.
MOSTI Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Madius Tangau said that IoT was changing the world today, in the
the way the Internet did in the 1990s, and it was going to continue transforming societies andeconomies. “As driver of IoT Malaysia, MOSTI encourages every party to join hands in seizing the IoT opportunities by creating innovative market solutions,” Madius said while launching the ASEAN IoT Innovation Forum, here, today.
Also present at the event MOSTI Secretary-General Dato’ Dr Mohd Azhar Yahaya, President and CEO
of MIMOS Datuk Abdul Wahab Abdullah; and scores of local and international industry heads.
Madius in his speech outlined three key success criteria; strengthening the technopreneurs’
capabilities and capacities in developing IoT-based application and services, developing the IoT
industry ecosystem, and positioning Malaysia as the Regional IoT Development Hub.
Four Market Segment for Internet of Things
Four market segments have been identified to springboard IoT adoption in Malaysia, namely;
Agriculture, Healthcare, Manufacturing and Transportation. Agriculture being the strategic segment will utilise IoT to boost the income of the B40 (below forty percent income level) community by enhancing sectorial productivity while preserving national food security.
Both Healthcare and Manufacturing segments are identified as growth segments, with the former
aiming to improve healthcare service delivery, and the latter with the objective to enhance the supply
chain efficiency and reduce the gap between small and medium enterprises and multinational
corporations.
The transportation segment is identified to serve the community’s needs by improving the efficiency
and service levels of transport operations. “Industry as well as government agencies and especially local authorities should leverage on IoT technologies to improve their operational efficiency, and subsequently improve citizens’ quality of life,” Madius said.
The minister said that MOSTI is committed to transform IoT into a mainstream industry, and to drive
its implementation in all strategic economic sectors, in all layers of society. Strategic and active
promotion of the Malaysia ecosystem via various government agencies’ community will generate
demand, which in turn will broaden the market beyond Malaysia, he said.
The Malaysian IoT ecosystem will serve as the IoT value-based partner of the world, to create the
country’s new economic source and new jobs for Malaysians, he said.
During the event, which was held in conjunction with MyIoT Week 2016 endorsed by MOSTI, the
minister also launched the Mi-MIST (MIMOS Internet Services of Things). Developed by MIMOS, MiMIST is an Open Innovation Platform established for the development of IoT-based technologies.
He stressed that there is a need to harmonise the various standards and protocols of IoT in order to
accelerate the innovation. Mi-MIST would play a key role in facilitating the harmonization activities,
not only at the country level but also regionally, the minister said.
Madius urged for more game-changer initiatives moving forward to ensure the competitiveness of the
Malaysian IoT industry in the global arena.
At the same event, the minister also launched RecoMedia, an IoT-based device for collaborative
presentation developed by EV Dynamics Sdn Bhd based on Mi-MIST platform, as one of the products of
Malaysia Commercialisation Year 2016.
Meanwhile, Dr Mohd Azhar said: “MOSTI would like to drive an outcome of creating new source of
economic growth through the implementation of Science, Technology and Innovation. Hence, MOSTI
will continuously be on the lookout for new opportunities to facilitate the implementation of IoT as a
new industry.”
He said that it was important for MOSTI to establish a governing committee, to facilitate the
technology and innovation development through the collaboration of industry and various
government agencies.
Abdul Wahab said: “We are excited to see the industry’s utility of Mi-MIST platform by local players to
strengthen their product portfolio.”
MyIoT Week 2016 comprises an Open Innovation Platform Developers’ Conference, a two-day ASEAN
IoT Innovation Forum and exhibition. Reports and updates can be obtained by browsing
http://www.iotweek.my
