05 building for THE FUTURE M alaysia is a trading nation. As a trading nation it is imperative for Malaysia to continuously seek to grow the market for the products it produces. While Malaysia is abundant with natural resources, it is the manufacturing sector that has played a key role in turning Malaysia into a major player in the global value chain apart from rapidly turning the country into an industrialised nation. In recent decades, the manufacturing sector has seen rapid evolution. From mass production through the use of intensive labour force in production lines, to the use of robotics to increase efficiency, the manufacturing industry is constantly evolving with more and more infusion of automation. Today, the next phase of evolution is referred to as the Fourth Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0. The term itself may seem meaningless as revolution is tied to evolution, a dynamic ongoing process of improvement. But technology, without the knowledge of application will not contribute to improvement. Therein lies the substance in the term Fourth Industrial Revolution. Essentially what it entails is infusing higher value-added process of manufacturing through the application of advanced digitisation, advanced manufacturing technologies and efficient resource utilisation. This would result in enhanced efficiency and reduced dependency of human labour and ultimately driving competitiveness going forward. Will this be disruptive to the way we are used to doing things? Again, the substance lies in the application of available technology. We have seen how application of information technology and the internet of things have opened up market supply chains easing access to produce from the most remote of areas, bringing wealth and prosperity to the rural areas. Likewise, Industry 4.0 could address many issues concerning manufacturing with regard to i.e. hazardous environments, health and safety of human labour, efficiency in managing supply chains, reduction in wastages, savings in time with efficient management of delivery systems. The potential for growth is simply limitless, but it all boils down to knowledge in application. Already at the global front, the manufacturing sector is reimagining the future of manufacturing where conventional models are making way for greater technology adoption and the key determinants are efficiency, speed and flexibility towards sustaining competitiveness. In Malaysia, there is a clarion call for the manufacturing sector to shift to higher value-added process, digitisation, advanced manufacturing technologies and efficient resource utilisation to drive competitiveness going forward. A strong manufacturing sector would pave the way to enhanced productivity, job creation, innovation capacity, high-skilled talent pool and ultimately economic prosperity and societal well-being. This would position Malaysia as a primary destination for smart manufacturing globally and attract more high-tech investments. I believe that this can all be achieved through the Industry4WRD: National Policy on Industry 4.0, which would enable the manufacturing sector to move into Industry 4.0 and along the way contribute to fulfilling Malaysia’s commitment to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I would like to express my appreciation to all parties who have provided their valuable input and support towards formulating this Policy. I look forward to all stakeholders combining strengths to realise the future competitiveness of the Malaysian manufacturing sector. Let us embrace change, collaborate, innovate and transform to create value and impact. Thank you. YAB TUN DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD Prime Minister of Malaysia ATTRACT • CREATE • TRANSFORM