Tan Sri Azman Hashim
President
MASSA 

Malaysia’s digital transformation roadmap got a further boost with the launch of the National 4IR Policy on 1 July 2021. Malaysia can be on track to attain the status of a high-tech, high-performing nation by 2030 as outlined in the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030. This can be achieved with the execution of the National 4IR Policy and National Policy on Science, Technology and Innovation (NPSTI) designed to empower the people with IR4.0 knowledge and skillsets to boost our workforce’s productivity and to raise our industries’ global competitiveness. The core of IR4.0 technologies include artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, distributed ledger technology (DLT), advanced materials supported by cloud computing and big data analytics (BDA). These technologies can have the ability to create multiplier effects in many economic sectors.

Malaysia’s economic performance, despite a positive first quarter 2021 will be impacted by the enhanced Movement Control Orders (EMCO) introduced once again since June 2021 given the stubbornly high daily new COVID cases, especially in the Klang Valley. Seeing the severity of the economic situation, the Government has released yet another RM150B PEMULIH (National People’s Well-Being and Economic Recovery Package) package for the Rakyat. This prolonged EMCO will likely impact our GDP growth forecast for 2021 from 5.6% to 4.2-4.4%. The National Vaccination rollout is therefore critical and must be expedited at all costs before we can see the green shoots of economic recovery for our nation.

MASSA held its 30th Annual General Meeting online on 23 June 2021. I would like to congratulate and thank the newly elected Office Bearers and Executive Committee members who will serve, and for most of you, for continuing to serve again, in the new term, 2021-2023. I extend my heartiest gratitude to outgoing members who have served for an equally long time.

I appreciate the continuing support and participation of all members with your attendance and involvement at our regular meetings and webinars. I also wish to thank members and our ex-officio partners, who have contributed valuable and insightful articles for our newsletters and not forgetting the sponsors of our website.

Stay healthy.

Tan Sri Azman Hashim

President

2 Aug 2021