INNOVATIONS AND CREATIVITY BELONG TO EVERYONE, SAYS MALAYSIAN PM

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 28 (Bernama) -- Najib Tun Razak said the perception
that innovations and creativity only belong to the scientists, technologists and
highly qualified intellectuals is totally inaccurate.

On the contrary, the Prime Minister said, they belonged to all strata of
society and covered all aspects of life, development and progress.

"Innovation too does not belong to any particular individual or country or
race
because it can belong to everyone and if it is made into a culture or practice,
it can empower a country.

"In moving towards a new economic model based on knowledge and innovation,
only
countries that have intellectual inputs as well as sophisticated and latest
technology can be on the frontline in the race for progress.

"Evidence clearly shows that the key to success for the developed countries
are
innovation and creativity," he said when launching the Innovative Malaysia 2010
with the theme "Celebrating Creativity", at the Putrajaya International
Convention Centre, here Wednesday night.

Also present were his wife, Rosmah Mansor and the Minister of
Science, Technology and Innovations, Maximus Johnity Ongkili.

In the meantime, Najib proposed that individuals, groups, government
ministries
or agencies that were successful in bringing innovations be given lucrative
rewards commensurate with the results achieved.

At the same time, the Prime Minister proposed that every government
ministry
and agency set up a special innovations unit responsible for their various
activities and innovative programmes.

"I want to see innovations not only confined to the computerisation system,
but
also covering all delivery systems, public services and customer touch-points so
that they are more innovative, efficient, swift and effective.

"The government will continue to support innovations in the public service
and
make it into a platform and catalyst for national development because
innovations in the public sector will promote similar development for everyone
having any transaction with it at all levels," he said.

For the private sector which represents the "engine of growth" to the national
development and economic growth, he said innovation was a must.

"The government plans to stimulate further the growth of private firms
especially those that have Intellectual Property Rights components generated by
the locals," he said.

In line with the agenda to generate and spur the national economy, Najib
said
innovations in a comprehensive manner, which covered and involved all Malaysians
in all aspects of life must be given emphasis.

He said the innovative process must be made into the mainstream to empower
the
community towards achieving an innovative nation.

He said the Innovative Malaysia 2010 was an approach to inject innovation
and
creativity into the community through the development of the ecosystem capable
of bringing changes.

"Thus, the primary effort is to ensure that there exists an ecosystem that
gives space and an opportunity to society to create and expand their ideas.

"We need to eliminate obstacles that restrict the creation of innovative and
creative ideas. An ecosystem that enables society to create ideas and think in
an innovative and creative manner is crucial to the formation of a society that
promotes innovative culture," he said.

Najib also called on parents, teachers and educators to play their role
towards the enculturation of innovation and creativity.

-- BERNAMA