Do Your Maths It S The Cornerstone Of Malaysia S Progress

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From Jaziri Alkaf Abdillah Suffian
Malaysia aims to become Asia’s hub for technology and innovation. Are we able to cope with the increasing demand for high-skilled workers, engineers, scientists and other professions?
Maintaining sustainable growth in Malaysia requires nurturing local talents through comprehensive programmes in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.
During my tenure as a senator, my focus was to significantly improve our STEM education ecosystem. True, we have heard this numerous times, but have we succeeded in identifying how and where best to intervene to effectively change the status quo?
My answer is mathematics, the bedrock of all STEM fields. We should hit hard where it matters most: the fundamentals.
The development of mathematical education is one of the most important objectives of our time and the key to creating scientific and technological solutions that meet the demands of modern society, now and into the future.
For Malaysia, mathematics shouldn’t just be an educational pursuit but a strategic imperative to secure a prosperous future. In a rapidly evolving landscape of global innovation, mathematics stands at the core of every technological and scientific advancement.
Lack of STEM skills
The education ministry reported that, in the current academic year, over 120,000 Year One students lack the essential skills of reading, writing, and counting, and only 40% of primary school students achieved proficiency in mathematics.
In the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) report, 15-year-old Malaysians scored 409 points in mathematics compared with 440 in 2018. Malaysia also scored below the OECD average of 472 points, performing lower than Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea, and Vietnam.
In the Dewan Negara, I have on many occasions stressed that formal subjects taught in schools are disproportionate to the path that the country intends to head. There is a considerable lack of STEM-based learning. Imagine how this will affect us as a nation in the next 10 to 20 years.
Mathematics must be emphasised from the earliest stages of education with a robust support system throughout the whole education ecosystem.
Enhancing numeracy among students will build a solid foundation for future mathematicians, engineers and scientists, ensuring they are well-prepared to tackle the challenges of advanced scientific and technological disciplines.
Although STEM enrolment in Malaysia has been increasing and was projected to reach 50.83% in 2024, the fundamental approach must evolve to reach a benchmark enrolment of at least 65%.
Malaysia can aspire to become a leader in STEM fields and industries by aiming for excellence and increasing talent capacity through mathematics.
Coping with AI
Lately, artificial intelligence (AI) has been the buzzword in Malaysia. To future-proof our AI agenda, substantial investments in mathematics education and research and development (R&D) are essential. Allocating serious budgets and resources to support R&D in mathematical sciences can pave the way for groundbreaking discoveries and innovations.
Engineers are essential to economic development and vibrancy. The engineer-to-population ratio in Malaysia is 1:170, lower than developed nations like Germany and France at 1:100.
There were approximately 187,900 registered engineers in 2022 and we ranked 33 out of 133 countries in the 2024 Global Innovation Index (GII), highlighting the need for more engineers to boost innovation and development.
In securing Malaysia’s STEM talent pool and a strong supply of mathematicians, it is imperative that we establish a Malaysian Institute for Mathematics (MIM).
MIM can act as a national agency that provides a dedicated platform for R&D in mathematical sciences with the purpose of producing mathematicians for the next 50 years.
It can serve as a hub for aspiring mathematicians, physicians and scientists, offering specialised programmes and fostering a culture of excellence, thus contributing towards the nation’s growth and development.
Russia’s example
I had the opportunity to participate in the IV Young Scientists Congress in Sochi, Russia last November. It is a major platform for dialogue between basic and frontier science, government bodies and industry, and showcases Russia’s scientific and technological development.
Russia is the one country that has long been recognised for its strong emphasis on mathematics. At the congress, I witnessed firsthand the incredible advancements in mathematical research and education as well as its impact on the people.
For example, one of the topics discussed was crop production and utilisation of mathematical models to produce the most desirable output and optimal return. The emphasis on mathematics has also fostered a culture of innovation and excellence, enabling Russia to excel in areas like aerospace, AI and theoretical physics.
By leveraging on the expertise and resources of our Russian counterparts, we can create a dynamic mathematics education system in Malaysia which would ensure our nation remains at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation, from AI to semiconductors and even aerospace and modern agriculture.
Mathematics is not just a subject in school, it is the calculated future of Malaysia.
A strong emphasis on mathematical sciences will propel Malaysia forward in our agenda of fostering a culture of excellence and innovation, moving the country towards a high technology economy.
Malaysia’s breakthrough in technological leadership can be realised through harnessing the power of mathematics. As we plan key sectors for development, we must also ensure that we scale up our talent pipeline that will fulfil future workforce demands and build a model for sustainable growth.
Mathematics is the (only) answer. This is something you can count on. - FMT
Jaziri Alkaf Abdillah Suffian is a Bersatu Supreme Council member and a former senator.

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