The MIMOS Technology Preview (MTP) 2026 Awards recognised individuals whose leadership and contributions advanced Malaysia’s technology ecosystem, from research and innovation to industry adoption, commercialisation and national capability development. The awards honoured those who helped strengthen the foundations for technology-driven growth and demonstrated the leadership needed to translate innovation into meaningful economic and societal impact.
1. MIMOS Founder’s Distinguished Award
Awarded to: YM Academician Datuk Dr. Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen, Founder of MIMOS Berhad & Senior Fellow and President, Academy of Sciences, Malaysia
The inaugural MIMOS Founder’s Distinguished Award was presented to YM Academician Datuk Dr. Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen for his visionary leadership and pioneering contributions to Malaysia’s science, technology and innovation landscape. As the founding architect of MIMOS, he championed the establishment of the nation’s premier applied research and development institution, laying the foundations for technology advancement, talent development and industry innovation. Through his continued leadership as President of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Advisor to the Prime Minister and the Nation, he also contributed to shaping national technology priorities, innovation policies and future technologies critical to Malaysia’s technological sovereignty and long-term development.
2. National Defence Digital Transformation Leadership Award
Awarded to: YBhg. Datuk Lokman Hakim bin Ali, Secretary-General, Ministry of Defence
In recognition of his leadership in advancing Malaysia’s defence digital transformation and strengthening national strategic autonomy through technology sovereignty, YBhg. Datuk Lokman Hakim bin Ali received the National Defence Digital Transformation Leadership Award. As Secretary-General of MINDEF, he championed the localisation of defence technologies, systems and supply chains in support of the Dasar Industri Pertahanan Negara (DIPN), strengthening indigenous capabilities and the local defence economy. His leadership also expanded the participation of local industries, researchers and technology providers in the defence ecosystem, supporting digital modernisation, advanced technology adoption and a more self-reliant defence industrial base.
3. Digital Government Leadership Award
Awarded to: Ts. Nik Zalbiha binti Nik Mat, Director-General, National Digital Department of Malaysia (Jabatan Digital Negara)
Ts. Nik Zalbiha binti Nik Mat received the Digital Government Leadership Award for her transformative leadership in advancing Malaysia’s digital government agenda and accelerating Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption across the public sector. Under her stewardship, the Jabatan Digital Negara (JDN) advanced digital transformation initiatives centred on AI, integrated data management and emerging technologies to strengthen government decision-making, operational effectiveness and citizen-centric service delivery. Her leadership helped build a more agile, connected and future-ready public sector, while her contributions to national digital transformation were recognised with the conferment of the Johan Mangku Negara (JMN) in June 2026.
