KUALA LUMPUR (June 19): The Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (MRANTI) CEO Dzuleira Abu Bakar has resigned, although her contract was renewed early this year. She will serve at MRANTI until early September.

Dzuleira was appointed CEO of Malaysian Global Innovation and Creatively Center (MaGIC) and Technology Park Malaysia (TPM), which resulted in the incorporation of MRANTI. This was part of the government’s larger efforts to restructure and consolidate its agencies to ensure that they are well positioned to execute the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (DSTIN) and the Malaysian Science Technology Innovation and Economic Development Framework (MySTIE 10-10).

In a press release, the board recognised Dzuleira’s dedication, outstanding leadership and invaluable contribution over the years.

“I am humbled and honoured to have pioneered and positioned MRANTI as the nucleus for research and development (R&D) and commerce and industry (C&I) in Malaysia,” said Dzuleira, who is leaving to pursue other opportunities. 

Dzuleira became MRANTI CEO 4.5 years ago. 

Within several months of taking office, Dzuleira launched the MRANTI Park Master Plan. The masterplan aims to achieve a gross development value of RM20 billion, RM2.8 billion in land lease, to develop a 4IR (fourth Industrial Revolution) hub from prime real estate, as well as create 8,000 jobs by 2027. To date, MRANTI Park has secured RM1.12 billion in land lease value and a total of 132.56 acres for new land sublease.

Dzuleira also founded several facilities within the park to support innovators. This including a 5000 sq ft Makers Lab for prototyping, a 5 acre drone centre, an Autonomous Vehicle Living Lab for living testing, 10 acre health cluster and 5G Experience Centre which serves as a national testbed for 5G innovation and enterprise-grade proof of concepts.

MRANTI, through the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, is the lead coordinating agency for the Malaysian Drone Technology Action Plan 2022-2030 (MDTAP30), a national initiative to support the drone ecosystem. Malaysia’s drone industry is ranked 21st in the global Drone Readiness Index, up from the 30th. MDTAP30 has the potential to contribute RM50.71 billion to the gross domestic product (GDP) and create 100,000 job opportunities by 2030.

Meanwhile, MRANTI was appointed as lead secretariat for the National Technology and Innovation Sandbox (NTIS), leading to 24 commercialisations, generating RM51.8 million in sales revenue. MRANTI was also tasked to run key national programmes such as Program Penggunaan Barangan dan Perkhidmatan Hasil R&D Tempatan Melalui Perolehan Kerajaan (MySTI), Malaysia Commercialisation Year Summit 2023, and Malaysia Techlympics 2022.

“Having established the core pillars of talent, infrastructure, operational systems and processes, as well as our strategic plan, I believe MRANTI can now advance in creating new socio-economic value through the commercialisation of R&D, which will strengthen the country’s trajectory to become a high-income, high-technology nation. I am committed to ensuring a seamless transition before my departure and to ensure the track is well-laid for MRANTI’s continued contribution and growth,” Dzuleira said.

A management committee will be activated as part of the transition plan to oversee the agency’s operations during the process of appointing a new CEO.