Malaysia’s MITI spent 89.6% of its RM374 million R&D and innovation budget, with RM55.64 million in grants allocated for ongoing project commitments.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry has spent RM335 million on research, development, commercialisation and innovation programmes.

This expenditure represents 89.6% of the RM374 million allocation for these initiatives as of June 30, 2025.

Deputy Minister Sim Tze Tzin said the total ceiling allocation approved for MITI under the 12th Malaysia Plan until that date was RM402 million.

He was responding to a query in the Dewan Rakyat regarding the status of unreturned grants.

Sim explained that RM55.64 million in grants had not been returned because the funds are committed to ongoing projects.

A sum of RM33.97 million under the High Impact Project Fund is for approved projects still being implemented.

The remaining RM21.67 million is for the High Value Added product development programme.

This balance is financing 28 new projects approved under the 12MP until October 31, 2025.

Sim stated that MITI acknowledges the need to streamline governance as recommended by the National Audit Department.

The ministry will seek special approval for the HIF and HVAD programmes as extension projects.

This approval is needed to pay for existing commitments that extend beyond the current Malaysia Plan period.

“Any remaining allocation for this programme will be returned after this programme is fully completed,” he said.

 The Sun Malaysia