Pak Wan: Building a Developed Nation Through R&D, Human Capital, and Entrepreneurial Spirit

KUALA LUMPUR,— Former minister and respected thought leader Pak Wan shared a compelling reflection on Malaysia’s path to progress, weaving together his personal educational journey with bold national aspirations rooted in entrepreneurship, human capital, and research and development (R&D).

Born in 1957—the year of Merdeka—Pak Wan identifies with a generation molded by resilience and adaptability. Recounting his own academic path from a traditional Malay village school to an English-intensive learning environment, he emphasized the transformative power of multicultural education. “It wasn’t just about languages,” Pak Wan said. “It was about learning to live with diversity and becoming stronger because of it.”

Entrepreneurship: The Catalyst of Progress
Pak Wan underscored that Malaysia’s future lies in nurturing entrepreneurship. Citing the remarkable growth stories of Japan and South Korea, he noted how both nations prioritized entrepreneurial development and innovation as key national strategies. “They didn’t just survive—they reinvented themselves. That’s what Malaysia must do too,” he remarked.

He called on Malaysia to establish strong policy frameworks and support systems through dedicated ministries to create an enabling ecosystem for startups and SMEs. “It’s not enough to talk about entrepreneurship. We need institutional support, funding pathways, and a national culture that respects and rewards risk-taking,” he stressed.

R&D Beyond the Lab
One of Pak Wan’s central messages was the need to broaden the understanding of R&D. He criticized the tendency to limit R&D to scientific laboratories, explaining that research and development must also include process innovation, operational efficiency, and workforce upskilling.

“R&D is just as important on the factory floor as it is in high-tech labs,” he said. “Improving how your workers operate machines or how your delivery system functions—that’s R&D too.”
He lamented that many local small industries suffer from stagnation due to complacency and an aversion to continual improvement. “When we stop evolving, we stop growing,” he warned. “Innovation must be a daily habit, not a government slogan.”

Tailoring Innovation to Malaysian Culture
Pak Wan also cautioned against blindly replicating foreign models of development. Instead, he advocated for culturally adapted solutions. “Our approach to R&D must reflect the values and rhythms of our society. We must innovate in ways that Malaysians understand, appreciate, and can adopt.”

Human Capital: The Real Engine of Growth
Central to his message was the emphasis on human capital development. He argued that investing in skills, lifelong learning, and leadership development is not just desirable but essential. “We cannot have innovation without innovators. We cannot have productivity without trained people. Human capital is the engine of any developed economy.”

Final Word
Pak Wan’s message is clear: Malaysia must move beyond rhetoric and build real structures that empower entrepreneurs, institutionalize research and innovation, and develop people at every level. “If we get these fundamentals right,” he concluded, “Malaysia won’t just catch up—we’ll lead.”

-Admin