Universities, research institutions, companies and entrepreneurs have been constantly urged to step up their research, in particular industrially applicable research. This prompts us to take a look at the performance thereof in 2008. The figures obtained from the Malaysian Intellectual Property Corporation (MyIPO) show an improved performance over 2007 in some sectors of the economy.

How did the government-funded research institutions fare in 2008?

What is noticeably glaring is that there are little or hardly any patent applications filed by many other research institutions such as:

1.       Malaysian Rubber Board
2.       Malaysian Cocoa Board
3.       Forest Research Institute of Malaysia
4.       Malaysia Nuclear Agency
5.       Institute of Medical Research

and the various other government institutions that handle technical matters, such as the Department of Chemistry, Construction Industry Development Board, etc.

Although these latter institutions are not specifically established to conduct research, surely the research officers must be looking at solving technical problems in their field of research! Either there is no drive or directions to innovate or there is a lack of awareness of IP rights, or both.

How has the private sector fared?

Again what is significantly absent are the public listed companies and large private companies such as the plantation companies, property developers and civil engineering contractors, etc. It appears none of the engineering consultant firms, private hospitals, the Bionexus Companies, MSC status companies, and so forth are seen to be doing any research or innovation.

Admittedly the number of patent applications filed is not a true reflection of the state of research and development or innovation undertaken by institutions and commercial enterprises, but it is a fair barometer of the same. Each sub-sector of the economy should identify the reasons for its state of affairs. Can, for example, the furniture manufacturing industry, glove manufacturing industry find out why no R&D or innovation is undertaken by respective component companies? Or is there a lack of awareness of the importance of seeking patent rights for any inventions or innovations? Unless and until the reasons for this dismal state of affairs are identified and action taken, Malaysian industries will be just followers (or copycats!) in technology. How is Malaysia as a nation going to compete with emerging economies of the world?

(Statistics provided by Malaysian Intellectual Property Corporation (MyIPO). KASS does not assume any liability for any errors in the statistics)