MOSTI to retain policies under new minister

PUTRAJAYA, Mon:

The new Science, Technology and Innovation minister has promised that old policies will stay. Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili said he will be meeting department heads over the next month to keep track of the progress of ongoing programmes and those in the pipeline.

"Only then can we think about new initiatives that need to be carried out to stir the people's interest in science and technology," he said at a handing-over-of-duties ceremony at his ministry here, formally taking over from former minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis. Also present was newly-appointed deputy minister Fadillah Yusof.

On the top of Ongkili's agenda is the need to dispel the notion among some that science and technology was only for the elite and those trained in the fields.

On plans to send Mej. Dr Mohd Faiz Khaleed to the international space station (ISS) in 2011, he said it would go on as planned.

He said the Malaysian Space Programme would also have value-added factors to increase public awareness of advancements in science and technology.
“All programmes under the Ministry would be value-added so that the importance of science and technology will reach rural folk,” he said.