Innovation policymakers in Malaysia today
In 2018 we estimated that there were around 130 core innovation policymakers in the Malaysian innovation system. However, it’s likely that we have underestimated the number of programme managers working on innovation-related projects.
Innovation policymakers are based in:
- Agencies and ministries that are directly involved with innovation policies, for example: Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI); Malaysia Industry High Technology Group (MIGHT); Malaysian Innovation Agency (AIM); Ministry of Finance (MOF); Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI); Academy of Sciences (ASM); Economic Planning Unit (EPU); Ministry of Communication and Multimedia (MCM), and SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp).
- Core national government departments relating to innovation, including: Business, Economics, and Science and Technology, as well as Universities.
- Other national government departments with significant innovation roles and agencies, including: Defence, Health, Agriculture, Energy, and Education.
- Non-governmental bodies with a significant influence on innovation policy, for example: development banks, think tanks, learned societies, and industry bodies.
- Relevant regional and significant municipal governments.
Authors

Benjamin Reid
Benjamin Reid
Head of International Innovation - Development Programmes
Benjamin is head of the International Innovation team within Nesta's Policy and Research division.
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Silvia Pau
Silvia Pau
Assistant Programme Manager, A Fairer Start mission
Silvia is an Assistant Programme Manager.
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Florence Engasser
Florence Engasser
Senior Foresight Analyst
Florence is a Senior Foresight Analyst within Nesta’s Discovery Hub, which aims to create a link between Nesta’s current portfolio and our pipeline of future work.
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Paulina Gonzalez-Ortega
Paulina Gonzalez-Ortega
Design Lead, International Innovation
Paulina was the Design Lead for the Global Innovation Policy Accelerator, a 14-country collaborative development programme for senior innovation policymakers.
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Nathan Kably
Nathan Kably
Senior Strategy Analyst
Nathan worked on the design and delivery of Nesta's strategy
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Anna Schlimm
Anna Schlimm
Learning Experience Designer, Global Innovation Policy Accelerator
Anna was a Learning Experience Designer for the Global Innovation Policy Accelerator.
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