Miti to tighten oversight of intangible technology transfers

By The Sun, Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) is sharpening its focus on intangible technology transfers under the Strategic Trade Act 2010, as growing geopolitical risks blur the lines between research, commercialisation and national security.

Speaking at the official launch of the Association of Innovative Educational Research (AIER) today, Miti Strategic Trade Controller Vimala Murugan said while controls on manufactured and physical dual-use goods are relatively established, intangible technology transfer (ITT) remains a complex and under-regulated area.

“It was easy when it came to manufactured goods, military items and dual-use items. When it comes to intangible technology transfer, ethical research and who the final recipient is, that’s where it’s always a grey area,” she said.

ITT refers to the transfer of non-physical technologies such as research data, software, designs, technical know-how and training, areas increasingly embedded in academic research, cross-border collaboration and commercialisation efforts.

Vimala said Malaysia’s openness as an education and research hub, coupled with shifting global geopolitics, has heightened the need for stronger safeguards without undermining innovation.

“Malaysia has always been an open country when it comes to students and private education. We have students coming from various countries, undertaking research and moving on. Even that has become something we have to look at carefully.”

She added that Miti plans to work more closely with the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Education from 2026 to strengthen awareness and governance around ITT in universities and research institutions.

The launch of AIER is expected to support this effort by acting as a bridge between policymakers, academia and industry, particularly in translating regulatory expectations into research and innovation practices.

Vimala said Miti relies heavily on academic collaboration to address ITT risks, noting that the ministry is more familiar with manufacturing-sector controls than research environments.

“When it comes to ITT, we really need the academicians’ support in creating awareness, and to speak the language that researchers are familiar with.”

The AIER launch marks a growing shift in Malaysia’s innovation landscape, where research excellence and strategic trade compliance are increasingly expected to move in tandem, rather than on parallel tracks.

To that end, AIER plans to roll out capacity-building programmes, workshops, fellowships and certifications to equip researchers and professionals with skills in dual-use risk assessment, cybersecurity, data ethics and governance.

Source:  https://thesun.my/business/local-business/miti-to-tighten-oversight-of-intangible-technology-transfers/