Chang Lih Kang

Chang Lih Kang is the current Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) in Malaysia, serving under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim since December 2022. He is also a Member of Parliament (MP) for Tanjong Malim, a position he has held since May 2018. He previously served as a Member of the Perak State Legislative Assembly for Teja from 2008 to 2018. Chang is a member of the People's Justice Party (PKR), a component of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, and has been serving as one of the Vice Presidents of PKR since December 2018.

As Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Chang launched the Hydrogen Economy and Technology Roadmap (HETR), aiming to address critical energy challenges, including reliability, affordability, and sustainability. He is also working towards increasing Malaysia's gross expenditure on Research & Development (GERD) to 3.5% by 2030 and pushing for the country to rank in the top 20 in the Global Innovation Index (GII) by 2025.

Chang's political career began when he joined PKR shortly after his university graduation. He first contested in the 2008 General Election, winning the Teja state seat with a slim majority. He successfully defended his seat in 2013 and later moved to the Tanjong Malim parliamentary seat in 2018, where he won with a significant majority. Chang has been an advocate for technological innovation and sustainability throughout his political career. 

Chang holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Universiti Putra Malaysia and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore. His background in engineering and public policy enables him to lead Malaysia’s commitment to sustainable development through technology. He is married to Zhuang Li Zhen and has two children.

Chang Lih Kang was born on 23 October 1980 in Ipoh, Kinta District, Perak, Malaysia. Growing up in Malaysia, he developed an interest in engineering and public service. He completed his secondary education in Ipoh before moving on to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Universiti Putra Malaysia, graduating in 2004. 

After completing his undergraduate degree, Chang furthered his education by pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Administration at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, where he gained deeper insights into governance and policy-making.

After completing his studies, Chang entered politics and joined the People’s Justice Party (PKR) in Malaysia, which is part of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition. His political career began in the 2008 Malaysian General Election, when he contested and won the Perak State Legislative Assembly seat for Teja with a slim majority of 175 votes. In the 2013 General Election, Chang successfully defended his seat in Teja, increasing his majority to 2,082 votes, further establishing his political presence.

In 2018, Chang shifted his focus to national politics by contesting the Tanjong Malim parliamentary seat, which was a Barisan Nasional stronghold at the time. Chang won the seat with a majority of more than 5,000 votes, marking a significant step in his political journey. Following his success, he was appointed Vice President of PKR by party leader Anwar Ibrahim in December 2018.

Chang’s influence within the party continued to grow. In the 2022 PKR party election, he was successfully re-elected as Vice President with 34,939 votes, securing the second-highest position in the party. This victory also made him the highest-ranked ethnic Chinese member in PKR.

In December 2022, following the appointment of Anwar Ibrahim as Malaysia’s 10th Prime Minister, Chang Lih Kang was appointed as the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI). In this role, he quickly became a key figure in shaping the country’s technological and innovation landscape. 

One of his major initiatives was launching the Hydrogen Economy and Technology Roadmap (HETR) in 2023. This roadmap aims to address Malaysia's energy challenges, focusing on the reliability, affordability, and sustainability of energy sources. The initiative emphasises the importance of hydrogen energy and other renewable energy technologies as part of Malaysia’s energy transition.

In addition to his work in energy, Chang has been working to boost Malaysia's research and development (R&D) efforts. His aim is to increase the country’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) to 3.5% by 2030 and to position Malaysia among the top 20 countries in the Global Innovation Index (GII) by 2025. These goals are part of his broader vision to drive innovation and technological development in Malaysia.

Throughout his political career, Chang has advocated for the advancement of green technologies and the use of innovation to address the country’s development challenges. As the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, he has played an instrumental role in pushing Malaysia toward a sustainable future by integrating renewable energy solutions and technological advancements into national policy.

Chang has also been involved in various projects and policies aimed at boosting Malaysia’s digital economy and innovation capabilities. His leadership in driving Malaysia’s energy transition through hydrogen and renewable energy technologies has positioned him as an influential figure in the country’s push for greater environmental sustainability.

As of 2025, Chang Lih Kang remains the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation. He continues to focus on driving technological innovation and sustainability in Malaysia, with ongoing efforts to transform the country’s energy sector and enhance its global ranking in the field of innovation. His role in the development of the Hydrogen Economy and Technology Roadmap, alongside his broader goals for R&D, highlights his continued importance in shaping Malaysia's future in technology and sustainability.

Chang Lih Kang's vision is to lead Malaysia towards a sustainable future by advancing technology and innovation. He aims to integrate green technologies and renewable energy solutions, focusing on hydrogen energy, to enhance the country’s energy security and reduce its environmental impact. He strives to increase Malaysia’s investment in research and development, aiming for 3.5% of the country’s GDP to be spent on R&D by 2030. His goal is for Malaysia to rank among the top 20 countries in the Global Innovation Index by 2025, ensuring a future driven by innovation and sustainability.

Chang Lih Kang has been recognised for his contributions to Malaysia’s political and technological advancement. He was awarded the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal for his service. As the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, his work in driving Malaysia's hydrogen economy and technology roadmap has gained attention both locally and internationally. His leadership in promoting green technologies and digital transformation has positioned him as a key figure in Malaysia’s push towards becoming a global leader in sustainability and innovation.