PUTRAJAYA: Technology can be a powerful tool to support inclusivity across all segments of society.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said without inclusivity, economic growth would hardly make any sense.
“Much progress has been made that leads to the improvement of living standards across the globe.
“However, global inequality is now at its highest level.
“Recent studies show that the richest one per cent in the world have half of the world’s wealth,” he said at the launch of 5G Malaysia: Progressing Humanity Programme.
In Malaysia, Dr Mahathir said, studies at the Khazanah Research Institute showed that Malaysia’s income gap had doubled in two decades.
“These gaps in inequality, if left unchecked, will affect economic and social growth in the long run,” he said.
In line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of reducing inequality, he said, the government was committed to reducing the income gap between segments of the Malaysian population.
The prime minister said technology could ensure that businesses became more effective, which in turn could increase productivity and output, as well as wages for workers.
“5G can also guarantee that quality education is spread far and wide across the country, connecting the unconnected in the rural areas.
“With the 4th Industrial Revolution already upon us, it has become more crucial than ever to develop essential skills among young Malaysians, not only data-driven skills but also mental agility.
“Education, and the understanding of technology among students cannot wait.
“It has to be emphasised and promoted now.”
He said history showed that nations which responded quickly to disruption with systematic and coherent strategies for its citizenry had always been able to ride the wave of radical changes.
“The march of technological progress is not only relentless, but also faster than what we can imagine, making it crucial for business leaders to review their business processes, strategies, and goals to stay ahead of the curve.
“The ability to keep abreast and in tandem with technological progress will have a bearing on economic success.
“Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to entreat business leaders to quickly embrace Industry 4.0 and complement their plans with comprehensive augmentation strategies,” he said.