Message from the CEO of MDeC:

Dear IAP Members and Representatives,

INNOVATION is today a recurring theme espoused in developed and developing nations. Many policy makers, business executives and academics now agree that this subject requires greater attention, as it enables businesses, communities and nations to compete on a more equal footing with one another, regardless of per capita income or number of scientists per capita.

Rather than relying on research and development alone, which can cost millions and take years to bear fruit, innovation works through the creative synthesis of ideas, knowledge, technology and markets to create new outcomes which in turn will generate wealth.

This theme of innovation has resonated so strongly with Malaysia that our Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Dato’ Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi, initiated the National Innovation Council in 2006 of which he is the Chairman.

To quote our Prime Minister, the Council will “look at rationalising and strengthening the national innovation system across all technology areas. This council will bring most of the other science and technology-related councils together to resolve issues and ensure that we can share best practices and lessons learnt from the respective technology areas.”

Mirroring the Malaysian Government’s aspirations to drive innovation for greater economic and societal success, we at the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) respectfully propose that innovation be put on the table for discussion and brainstorming at this year’s IAP meeting. Thus the theme of this year’s 11th MSC Malaysia International Advisory Panel meeting is aptly chosen as the “MSC Malaysia: Innovation for Wealth Creation.

At the last National Innovation Council meeting held in November 2007, the Malaysian government has adopted the National Innovation Model as a framework to transform Malaysia’s resource-led economy to an innovation led economy.  Hence, it is pertinent that this year’s IAP meeting deliberate specifically on the role and impact of innovation on MSC Malaysia and in general the local ICT industry.

I wish to thank you for agreeing to attend this year’s meeting and share your knowledge and thoughts on this vitally important subject. To assist you in the deliberation during the meeting, we have prepared this handbook which contains some useful background materials on the state of innovation in Malaysia in the following areas:

• Role of Government in Innovation;
• Innovation in the Creative Industry; and
• Innovation in the Software & e-Solutions Industry

With your knowledge and experience, we hope you would be able to contribute in the discussion, which will lead to specific policy recommendations.

We look forward to your presence at this year’s meeting.

Thank you.

Dato’ Badlisham Ghazali
Chief Executive Officer
Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC)