IT seems nothing ceases to amaze Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
At 94, the prime minister is as enthusiastic as ever when it comes to innovation and technology.
Unlike most who take new things matter-of-factly, Dr Mahathir would be amazed by new technologies, sometimes choosing not to read the statement prepared by his officials.
He did just that at a press conference for the Malaysian media in Busan, South Korea, last week at the end of his two-day Asean-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit.
Instead of reading from a prepared text in front of him and before reporters could ask questions, Dr Mahathir went on to relive what he saw at an innovation showcase at the summit.
“They grew strawberries indoors with artificial sunlight.
The fruits were big and sweet,” he told the press conference in his suite, before turning to Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri Muhamad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob to ask whether the senior official had tasted the strawberries.
The prime minister also took time to talk about the big screen, which was shown to him.
“The image was so real, only it was larger than life,” he said with eyes not hiding his bewilderment.
Then there were the robotic hands, which could cook if given recipes, the hydrogen-powered electric car, which he drove and fighter jets that he saw.
Even while visiting the under construction Petronas-owned Floating Liquified Natural Gas Dua platform, no one could stop the awestruck Dr Mahathir from climbing up the deck.
“It was so big. If it is placed upright, it is almost as tall as the (Petronas) twin towers,” he said on the overall length of the vessel, which is 393 metres.
Later, after completing his two-day official visit to Seoul and as he was about to leave for home, the prime minister insisted that he be given a ride on the Maglev (magnetic levitation) train which links Incheon International Airport to facilities and offices in its vicinity.
Of course, one suspects nothing Dr Mahathir does is without reason.
He probably went out of his way to impress on the younger generation of ministers and officials, as well as the media that accompanied him, what honest hard work could achieve.
The South Koreans, reminded Dr Mahathir, were once poorer than the Malaysians. Within a few generations they had become one of the richest and most innovative countries in the world.
Meanwhile, even with the benefit of almost six decades of friendship (Malaysia and South Korea are celebrating the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship next year), Korea’s success did not rub off on most Malaysians.
The prime minister did not offer reasons why, but at a gathering of Malaysian students and diaspora in South Korea, he advised them to emulate the Korean work ethic.
One could sense a hidden frustration in him — why Malaysia is not as successful as the South Koreans. But Dr Mahathir was not about to give up on Malaysians.
When President Moon Jae-in offered to elevate the relationship between the two countries to a strategic partnership (dismissed as just optics by some), the prime minister ordered Malaysian officials to follow it up with meetings.
Time will tell whether the officials will make something substantive out of the offer by President Moon.
Nevertheless, to some it is an opportunity for Malaysians to realise their potential with South Korean help.
“It is crucial that we try to play catch-up through collaboration with technology partners from competitive nations such as South Korea that are known for innovation,” said Zainal Abidin Jalil, a seasoned industry leader of a public-listed company with investments in technology start-ups.
“We all agree that industry needs to innovate to stay competitive long term, the question is how,” he said, when asked about South Korea’s offer of a strategic partnership.
Strengthening the ecosystem of local start-ups and agile small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with technology partners from South Korea or such nations will no doubt create growth multipliers in the new economy.
The established SMEs from South Korea with a proven track record should be co-located
in the local community of Malaysian start-ups and ventures.
These niche SMEs have the knack for uncovering user-centred insights and building viable new business models, said Zainal.
Malaysia is not alone in trying to attract South Korean partnerships. Indonesia has signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with South Korea. Bangkok and Hanoi are also actively wooing Seoul.
One feels if we fail to seize this opportunity now, many in the younger generation who are actively pursuing studies in the new economy will have to migrate to Jakarta, Bangkok and Hanoi to seek employment and opportunities.