SYNOPSIS

Amid the turmoil in the global economy, fueled by intense geo-political rivalry, trade wars and the ever-increasing disparity between the richest and poorest nations of the world, Malaysia is at the cross-roads, caught in the middle-income trap!

We have done well since independence in 1957, moving up the economic ladder from what was largely an agrarian economy, through industrialization, to become a country noted for the exports of its primary commodities and manufactured goods.  Along the way, we have been able to generate enough economic wealth and was able to finance the construction of major infrastructures such as roads and highways, ports and airports, schools, hospitals, etc.  The incidence of poverty reduced and overall, the general standard of living and the well-being of the people have improved significantly.  Although there is still disparity between the B40 and the top T20, between rural and urban and between East and West Malaysia, there is undoubtedly, a substantial increase in the “quality” of the M40 or the “middle-class”.

However, the experience of the last decade or so has been disappointing.  Malaysia is caught in the “middle-income trap”.  We have not been able to move up further the economic ladder.  Why?

In this talk, the speaker will try to address some of the key factors which in his view are holding us back.  The speaker will also discuss the crucial role of engineers in addressing the challenges to build the momentum for growth toward the prosperous, harmonious progressive, competitive and sustainable Malaysia that we envision and aspire!


SPEAKER PROFILE

Y.Bhg. Academician Tan Sri Ir. Dr. Ahmad Tajuddin Ali is an engineer by training.  He graduated with First Class Honours in Mechanical Engineering from King's College, University of London in 1973 and obtained his doctorate in Nuclear Engineering from Queen Mary College, University of London in 1977.  He did post-doctoral work in nuclear engineering at Oregon State University (1977-1978) and at Pennsylvania State University (1978).

Y.Bhg. Academician Tan Sri Ir. Dr. Ahmad Tajuddin Ali is currently the Chairman of Linde Malaysia Holdings Berhad, Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), SIRIM Berhad and Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM).   He is also the Joint-Chairman (Industry) of the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), the Joint-Chairman (Government) of the Aerospace Malaysia Innovation Centre (AMIC) and a member of the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA), chaired by the Prime Minister of Malaysia.  

Earlier in his career, Y.Bhg. Academician Tan Sri Ir. Dr. Ahmad Tajuddin Ali has served as the Director-General of Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM), then the Executive Chairman of the national power company, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Chairman of Gas Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Energy Commission of Malaysia, PLUS Expressways International Berhad, UEM Sunrise Berhad and UEM Group Berhad.  He was the President of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia from 2010 – 2016.

Y.Bhg. Academician Tan Sri Ir. Dr. Ahmad Tajuddin Ali has received various recognition toward his contribution in both national and international levels.  In 1994, Y.Bhg. Academician Tan Sri Ir. Dr. Ahmad Tajuddin Ali was bestowed the Special Award by Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) for his contribution towards enhancing exports of Malaysian products to Japan.  In 1996, Y.Bhg. Academician Tan Sri Ir. Dr. Ahmad Tajuddin Ali received the Institution of Engineers Malaysia Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Engineering Profession and in 2009, he received the “Prominent Player” Award from the Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB).  Most recently in November 2018, Y.Bhg. Academician Tan Sri Ir. Dr. Ahmad Tajuddin Ali was conferred the award of “The Order of The Rising Sun, Gold Rays With Neck Ribbon” by the Government of Japan for his contribution towards promoting economic relations between Japan and Malaysia.

He is a Registered Professional Engineer with the Board of Engineers (P.Eng), a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (FIEM), a Fellow of The ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (AFEO), a Fellow of the ASEAN Academy of Engineering and Technology (AAET) and a Senior Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia which carries the title “Academician”.