CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE FLAGSHIP PROGRAMME RESEARCH PRIORITY AREAS FROM

10.3 CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE FLAGSHIP PROGRAMME RESEARCH PRIORITY AREAS FROM

A SOCIAL INCLUSION PERSPECTIVE During the consultative phase, the research priority areas were developed with active engagement of

the 10 Expert Working Groups (EWGs) and leveraging on existing strategic policy documents on science & technology areas of national interest (Mega Science Study, National Technology Foresight) and economic focus areas (National Key Economic Areas, the Third Industrial Master Plan). More than 500 research areas were considered, based on its attractiveness to the national economic outlook and feasibility. The resulting nine priority areas chosen represent the interplay of three broad impact dimensions – Science & Technology enablers, solutions to national concerns and mitigation of impacts of global issues.

Although, not mentioned as specific focus areas, but yet is part of the research priorities identified, the component of Science & Technology enablers are targeted to strengthen local capacities in fundamental sciences, social sciences and humanities as well as invigorate local research and development into cross-cutting and converging technologies.

Each of the nine research priority areas focus on issues of national interest with specific long term goals, as listed in Table 4 below:

Table 4 - National Interests and Specific Long Term Goals of Research Priority Areas

No. Issues of national interest Long term goals

1 Biodiversity Sustainable utilisation and conservation A national autonomous and secure systems

2 Cyber Security to reduce the dependency on foreign sources for systems of strategic importance

Sustainable energy supply with introduction 3 Energy Security

of new energy resources and reduce dependency on fossil fuel

4 Environment & Climate Change Sustainable environment Reduce dependency of import on staple

5 Food Security food and increase the level of self sufficiency

6 Medical & Healthcare Improved health, wellbeing and longevity Sustainable plantation crops and

7 Plantation Crops & Commodities

commodities sector Reduce dependency of fossil fuel as a

source of power and enhance energy 8 Transport & Urbanisation

efficiency Sustainable urbanisation Ensuring sustainable water supply &

9 Water Security

optimising water usage

From these goals are target priority areas of research, listed below (Table 5). Each of these targets represents specific impactful outcomes that as a whole would strengthen the national capacity as a high-income developed economy.

Table 5 - Specific Priority Areas of Research

Target Priority Areas of Research Relating to issues

Sustainable utilization and conservation Biodiversity Information security and autonomous system

Cyber Security Harnessing alternative resources of energy especially in the areas of

renewable energy Energy Security Improving the efficient use of energy

Energy Security Environment & Climate

Ecosystem management Change

Environment & Climate protection and improvement to mitigate flood, drought & air pollution Change

Target Priority Areas of Research Relating to issues

Environment & Climate Bio-surveillance for environmental protection Change

Environment & Climate Eco-tourism Change

Improvement of food crops, livestock & animal feedstock Food Security Exploitation of biodiversity for food/feed

Food Security Post harvest physiology & technology Production System and

Food Security Precision Agriculture

Improvement of biosecurity, bio-surveillance and Sanitary & Phyto- Food Security sanitary (SPS) measures for animal and plant genetic resources

Diagnostic, prevention and treatment to enable the ability to mitigate Medical & Healthcare the burden of lifestyle diseases

New and emerging diseases Medical & Healthcare Cancer

Medical & Healthcare Bio-surveillance in medical and healthcare

Medical & Healthcare Increasing the productivity and utilisation, focusing on  Oil Palm

 Timber  Rubber

Plantation Crops &  Cocoa

Commodities  Kenaf  Tobacco  Pepper

Enabling the use of alternative energy sources and energy efficiency vehicles for environmental friendly transport

Transport & Urbanisation Design and engineering in vehicle, infrastructure, systems and

Transport & Urbanisation facilities

Efficient urban waste management (Reuse, recycle & reduce) Transport & Urbanisation Sustainable sources and processing, treatment & distribution of

water Water Security

It is evident that social inclusion is not specifically targeted in these areas of research priorities, despite it being a key principle of the New Economic Model (NEM). This is in contrast with the remaining core values of NEM (high income and sustainability) which are well addressed in this framework. It can be argued that the spillover effect of successes in these areas of research will benefit the society at large to include the marginalized populations and more importantly the bottom 40% as the target beneficiary of the NEM. It can also be argued unintentional widening of existing and new social gaps can prevail as a result of the same successes.

From a social inclusion perspective, all the research priority areas can potential address significant gaps that reflect social exclusion:

- In the area of climate change, the marginalised populations are usually at the highest risk of the negative effects of natural disasters and significant changes of the climate (drought, floods). - Marginalised populations to a certain extent are created because of unequal distributions of access to public transportation and further disenfranchisement as a result of wanton urbanisation. - Unequal access, availability and distribution of the essentials of basic human living (food, water and energy) form the foundation of social exclusion. - Failure to address technologies that would safeguard identity and exploitation in the digital space can enhance socioeconomic gaps and further marginalise socially excluded groups. - Whereas healthcare is a natural area that deals with social inclusion, the sub areas indicated fail to lead to solutions for social inclusion. - Often used and abused as a research area that can help the rural and indigenous populations in greater participation in science and technology and the economy at large, biodiversity tends to lend its hand in offsetting the negative implications of the commodity sector. The indigenous minority Orang Asli group is likely featured in biodiversity, as traditionally already playing a role in environmental conservatism. - Commodities are likely to feature rural populations. Economic gains in this area can improve livelihoods and social mobility of peoples living far away from urban centers .