By Dr Saat Shukri Embong, President and Group Executive Officer, MIMOS Berhad
Prologue: The Genesis of Sovereignty (1985)
In 1985, as the world raced into the information age, Malaysia faced a pivotal choice: remain a technology consumer or become a creator. From this crucible of ambition, MIMOS was born, not merely as a research centre, but as a national mission to build the intellectual backbone of a nation. Dr. Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen and his team ignited a revolution from a modest Kuala Lumpur bungalow, driven by a radical vision, to be the beacon guiding Malaysia from assembly lines to innovation frontiers.
Chapter 1: The Unlikely Pioneers, Where Grit Met Genius (1985–1994)
Armed with nothing but conviction, five pioneers declared Malaysians would dream in silicon. Within two years, they birthed RangKom (Rangkaian Komputer Malaysia), the nation’s first computer network, and COMIL, the first educational tool in Bahasa Malaysia. This was more than engineering; it was cultural preservation. When they deployed JARING (Malaysia’s first commercial ISP), they proved a nation’s destiny could be rewritten by its own people.
“Innovation is not just about what we create, it’s about who we become as a nation because of it.”
Chapter 2: Architecting a Digital Nation (1995–2010)
As Malaysia surged toward Vision 2020, MIMOS became its digital architect. They etched history with Pesona, Malaysia’s first 16-bit RISC microprocessor, and built SuperJARING, the world’s first IP-based 2.5Gbps backbone. Yet their truest triumph was digital justice:
- Titian Digital connected rural Kampung Pamah Kulat, ensuring no Malaysian was left behind.
- MyCERT stood as a shield for the nation’s dreams during the 1997 financial crisis.
Every circuit designed was a stitch in the fabric of Malaysia’s sovereignty.
Chapter 3: The Crucible & The Comeback (2003–Present)
In 2003, MIMOS embraced reinvention, shedding business operations to return to its radical R&D core. The result? A resurgence of impact:
- Semiconductor Sovereignty: Advanced wafer fabs birthed sensors and chips like the 0.35-micron EEPROM, embedding Malaysia in global value chains.
- Guardians of Society: AI-powered Smart Lockups prevented inmate deaths; the Malaysian Health Data Warehouse safeguarded millions.
- Fields to Factories: IoT sensors boosted Sabah’s Shiitake yields by 85%; Industry4WRD turned SMEs into AI powerhouses.
- Blockchain for All: The 2025 Malaysia Blockchain Infrastructure (MBI) made digital identity a right, not a privilege.
The Heartbeat, Our Spirit, Our Resolve
Behind more than 2,000 patents beats a tribe united by values that define the MIMOS spirit:
- Nation First: Every patent strengthens Malaysia’s resilience, competitiveness, and dignity.
- Fearless Innovation: We push boundaries because the nation cannot afford to play small.
- Shared Prosperity: Technology must uplift every Malaysian, from factory floors to peatland forests.
“We are not just engineers. We are guardians of Malaysia’s future.”
When floods threatened lives, engineers perfected the National Flood Forecasting System during sleepless nights. From Sudan to semiconductor labs, teaming is a way of life.
Chapter 4: The Unfinished Symphony, Malaysia’s Tech Destiny (Now & Beyond)
As Malaysia embraces MADANI and RMK13, MIMOS charges forward:
- Semiconductor Independence: Partnering with SensoremTek to mass-produce MEMS microphone wafers, slashing import reliance.
- AI for All: National platforms powering industries, public services, and citizen solutions.
- Talent Empire: Igniting the next generation of Azzmans and Hafizs in university labs nationwide.
- Green Tech Vanguard: Sustainable systems future-proofing Malaysia’s economy and ecology.
Epilogue: The Soul’s Code
Forty years ago, rebels in a bungalow asked: “Why can’t Malaysians own their tech future?”
Today, we answer:
“We not only can, we must.”
We see a Malaysia shaping global tech landscapes, its SMEs exporting innovations, its youth building futures here, and its sovereignty unassailable.
Our Promise to Malaysia:
- We will think boldly.
- We will act decisively.
- We will innovate relentlessly.
- Because the future will not wait, and neither will we.
MIMOS is More Than Technology. We Are:
- The Architects of Malaysia’s Technological Sovereignty
- The Bridge Between Ambition and Achievement
- The Heartbeat of a Nation Determined to Rise
Innovating Today for Malaysia’s Tomorrow.
“Kami bukan sekadar jurutera. Kami penjaga masa depan Malaysia.”
Explore Our Journey: www.mimos.my | #MIMOS40Years
