• First established in 1973 as the Ministry of Technology, Research and Local Government.
• Additional responsibility as the lead agency pertaining to environmental matters, the ministry then assumed its name Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (MOSTE) in 1976.
• Formation of MOSTI after the restructuring of MOSTE following the Cabinet decision on March 27, 2004.
• With the new entity of MOSTI came several agencies
• Introduction of cluster approach in February 2007 (Biotechnology, ICT, Industry, Sea to Space and S&T Services)
• Introduction of National Innovation Model 2007
   

Strategic Focus Areas In Line With Thrust 1 & Thrust 2 of National Mission 2006 - 2020

MOSTI's Strategic Focus Areas In Line With Thrust 1 & Thrust 2 of National Mission

2006 - 2020

Thrust One : Move the economy up the value chain

• Increase productivity and competitiveness in agriculture, manufacturing and services sectors
• Generate new sources of wealth in technology and knowledge-intensive sectors

Thrust Two : To raise the country's capacity for knowledge, creativity and

innovation and nurture first class mentality

• Knowledge and innovation will be key determinants of Malaysia’s success as a KBE
• Enhance innovation system that encourages top quality R&D and its commercialisation