PUTRAJAYA (Aug 13): The Malaysian Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (MySTI) has the potential to create greater market opportunities for local technology companies to break into the public sector, said Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) group chief executive officer Mohammad Hazani Hassan.  

He said that through circulars supporting the implementation of the policy, local companies can be given priority in government procurement processes, thus enabling them to enter the technology market that was previously difficult to access.  

“This policy provides double benefits to local innovators because, apart from opening market channels, it also encourages innovation based on the real needs of the public-sector market,” he told Bernama after a briefing on the enforcement of the policy here on Wednesday.  

The briefing, organised by MTDC in collaboration with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti), the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (MRANTI), provided guidance to ministries and agencies on how to plan, set specifications, and procure locally researched and developed products certified under MySTI.  

Treasury Circular PP/PK1.4, which came into effect on June 23, stipulates that local products and services bearing the MySTI logo must be prioritised in government procurement, with specific guidelines and monitoring mechanisms for research and development (R&D)-based offerings.

Meanwhile, Mosti’s Technology Transfer and R&D Commercialisation Division secretary Boniface Edwin Manung said the circular sets a target for 5% of the total procurement of a ministry or agency, to involve products listed in the MySTI inventory, depending on suitability and needs.  

“All ministries and agencies must prioritise MySTI-branded products. The inventory can be accessed on the official portal, and is listed by category… If there is a suitable procurement, the ministry must prioritise such suppliers, who will receive higher scores in evaluation,” he said.

He added that the MOF has also directed government-linked companies (GLCs) to support the policy’s implementation, including imposing requirements for the use of MySTI products on contractors or vendors who are awarded concessions.  

As of July 2025, a total of 506 products and services had been approved to use the MySTI logo and listed in the official inventory, while 553 local technology products and services had been successfully commercialised between 2016 and 2023, generating a cumulative revenue of over RM729.9 million.  

Under the MySTI framework, MTDC serves as the official technology consultant, helping agencies match needs with certified solutions, in addition to providing two catalyst funds, namely the MySTI Test-Buy Fund and the MySTI Facilitation Fund. 

Uploaded by Liza Shireen Koshy