There is a need to ensure the right value system is continuously present to ensure that whatever technology development takes hold, it is for the benefit of mankind and serves the purpose as it is intended to be.
by | Rushdi Abdul Rahim | rushdi@might.org.my
By the time this magazine is in your hands, the country would have celebrated its 61st year of independence. The word ‘Merdeka’, Malay for Independence, has always carried great significance. For many Malaysians, it is a source of immense pride and I’m heartened to see that it is celebrated as fervently as ever.
However, ‘Merdeka’ today and what it represents has changed compared to what it was, say, 50 years ago. Though the date is forever remembered as the day we achieved independence from British occupation, the word ‘Merdeka’—freedom and independence—carries different definition and meaning for every generation and I believe this will continue to change as the country makes further progress in the future. Regardless of semantics, what is shared is that Merdeka provides us with the springboard for a better Malaysia. We believe that through all the changes, uncertainty and volatility taking place, a better Malaysia awaits in the future.
Speaking of change and uncertainty, this 23rd edition of myForesight’s magazine continues to offer examinations of the impact and implications of technology development in relation to the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). As we at MIGHT advocate the use of technology to enrich, assist and uplift the quality of our lives, we are also aware of the perils of having these technologies in the wrong hands. In popular culture fiction, we’ve seen how the morally corrupt use technology for ill gains only to be foiled by the leading man, like the super spy James Bond. In reality, we can’t depend on Bond, that is why there is a need to ensure the right value system is continuously present to ensure that whatever technology development takes hold, it is for the benefit of mankind and serves the purpose as it is intended to be.
A few weeks back, we had a conversation with Datuk Dr Anis Yusal Yusoff, the Deputy Director General of Governance, Integrity and Anti Corruption Centre (GIACC) where he talked about Malaysia’s renewed fight against corruption and the public service’s future of work. He also shared his views on technology adoption and weighed in on how the 4IR technology development could enable the provision of high quality public service delivery.
On a similar note, we thought it would be fitting to revisit the list of risks and vulnerabilities that will be faced by the Malaysian Public Service from the work done in 2015. See how many of these factors have played out or moved from small probability to a large possibility.
As we repeatedly stress, the level of disruption from the 4IR differs for each industrial sector and organisation. In this issue, we look at how the 4IR is changing the construction industry. We examined the trends behind technological breakthroughs that could reignite the construction industry’s growth. In addition, the contents laid out for this issue have been thought over to help you look at the landscape of these disruptions and scan the horizon for potential “wildcards”. We hope this will give you a heads up against disruptive change.
In this issue’s ‘Viewpoints’ section, the writer looks at leadership in the era of the 4IR—Leadership 4.0, where he sees new leaders are needed and emerging. These new leaders are breaking the command and control stereotype so commonly associated with that of the previous generation.
Elsewhere in the magazine, apart from highlighting a number of technological trends that attempt to shake up the industry, we focus on an issue regarding stewardship of personal data that’s often being abused by irresponsible brokers.
In addition, we have also put together something along the lines of government delivery and explored the ways in which the growing tension between two of the world’s biggest superpowers may impact global economy in the future.
As usual I sincerely hope the magazine provides you with some food for thought as you think about your future.
