Budget 2027: MOSTI Focuses On Technology Access, People’s Well-being - Chang

GEORGE TOWN, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) has submitted its Budget 2027 allocation request to the Ministry of Finance (MoF), focusing on technology development that delivers tangible benefits to the people.

Minister Datuk Seri Chang Lih Kang said MOSTI’s priorities included expanding access to technology in rural and off-grid areas to improve the people’s well-being and make their daily lives easier.

“Our emphasis will be on bringing technologies that benefit the people, particularly those in rural and off-grid areas, to improve their well-being.

“Our focus is on the use of technology that can make things easier for the people,” he told reporters after officiating the 9th Engineering, Science and Technology Congress (ESTCON) 2026 organised by Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), here today.

According to the Dewan Rakyat calendar, Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to table Budget 2027, themed “Malaysia Madani: Menggapai Di Langit, Mengakar di Bumi”, on Oct 9.

Meanwhile, Chang said Malaysia was always ready to respond to disasters, including through the use of technology in search and rescue (SAR) operations.

He said technology was crucial in assisting rescue teams during disaster operations, particularly in locating and identifying victims and monitoring the risk of subsequent disasters.

“During the Batang Kali landslide tragedy in Selangor, various technologies, including drones, space technology and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis, were used to assist in the search for victims and ensure the safety of rescue teams from the risk of subsequent landslides,” he said.

Chang said space technology was also used to detect movements or changes in areas prone to subsequent landslides, helping SAR teams conduct more effective risk assessments.

--BERNAMA