BE INNOVATORS, MUHYIDDIN TELLS MALAYSIANS

PUTRAJAYA, April 4 (Bernama) -- Malaysians should urgently transform to become innovators and value-adders and not just users of innovation by others, especially on aspects they themselves are able to create, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said Monday.

He said the time had come for Malaysians to venture out of their comfort zone as consumers and become innovators.

It was for this reason, he added, that the government viewed seriously efforts to translate learning and teaching materials to consolidate its initiative to uphold the national language and strengthen the command of English among the people.

"The people of this country, generally, are able to speak good English but we should accept the reality that there are those among us who are without the same capability," he said when launching a total of 100 Science and Mathematics translation titles by the National Institute of Translation, here.

Muhyiddin said to ensure all students were able to obtain materials for Science and Mathematics, the government through the Education Ministry had channelled a special fund for the translation and publication of 130 Science and Mathematics titles.

"It is hoped that the institute will be able to complete these books before end of this year so that they can be used nationwide the following year," he said.

Muhyiddin said translation for Science and Mathematics materials was extremely important at a time when the world was relying on these two subjects for its innovation needs to solve problems.

"Today's scenario demands interaction between scientists and mathematicians worldwide, each testing new formula in the race to improve existing technologies," he said.

The 100 titles launched today are from the United States, United Kingdom and Germany, comprising 60 titles for primary school and 40 for the secondary.

At the same event, Muhyiddin had also launched the National Science and Mathematics Creativity Competition 2011, offering RM130,000 (US$42,961) in prizes for both secondary and primary school categories.
-- BERNAMA