Background

The Malaysia Mental Literacy Movement (MMLM) was established by Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Dr. Ling Liong Sik, the Chancellor of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR). Officially registered under the Societies Act 1966 on 4 July 2006, MMLM is dedicated to advancing mental literacy in Malaysians through various techniques, including memory skills, critical thinking, and creativity.

Objectives

MMLM aims to enhance mental literacy skills to contribute to the development of human capital resources crucial for meeting the challenges of 21st-century globalisation. Aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, MMLM organises activities supporting mental literacy skill development. 

A flagship event is the Malaysia Festival of the Mind, drawing 276,714 participants since its launch in 2007. Embraced by diverse segments of society, the festival, both physical and digital, has proven impactful. 

MMLM hosts its annual Mind Competitions, featuring Memory, Mind Mapping, and Mental Calculation challenges. Following a brief hiatus from 2020 to 2022 due to the global pandemic, the event made a triumphant return in 2023 and continues to welcome participants of all backgrounds. Since its inception, the Mind Competitions have garnered widespread interest, drawing a total of 19,522 participants to date. 

Collaborating with the Kuala Lumpur Engineering Science Fair (KLESF), MMLM inaugurated the Mind & STEM Festival in Kuching in 2018, followed by another successful edition in 2019. Despite the obstacles presented by the pandemic, the event persevered in advancing the realms of mental literacy and STEM education through the virtual format. In 2023, the Mind & STEM Festival joyously returned to its in-person configuration, marking a resounding revival. Thus far, the event has amassed an impressive cumulative attendance of 104,720 participants, spanning both physical and virtual settings. 

MMLM extends its reach through school talks, public talks, and webinars, with topics ranging from creativity and memory enhancement to numeracy and learning in the AI era. The engagement, spanning physical and digital realms, reached 116,493 participants. 

Community Impact

Beyond enhancing cognitive abilities, MMLM’s initiatives foster community integration and unity, offering opportunities for participation to people from all walks of life. Leveraging this advantage, MMLM serves as a unique platform to propel the nation to greater heights in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Note: Figures are accurate as of 31 December 2023.