As we just celebrated Malaysian Independence Day on August 31 and Malaysia Day on September 16, it is a fitting time to reflect on the contributions of our nation’s scientists who have shaped the path of progress and innovation.
Among them are towering figures like Tan Sri B.C. Shekar, who developed and modernised the country’s rubber industry, and Tan Sri Augustine Ong, a chemist whose groundbreaking research on palm oil has had a lasting impact on our economy and global standing.
These individuals are part of a rich tradition of Malaysian scientific excellence, who have left behind a legacy that we must not only honour but also strive to rekindle in today’s rapidly evolving world. In our nation’s early days, unsung heroes worked in the shadows, building our scientific community’s infrastructure.
