In line with the growing interest for these activities as a driver of grow'th, science, technology and innovation (STI) activities became prominent in these plans and strategies in the mid-1980s. A detailed examination of the early policy initiatives - in particular since the mid-1980s when Malaysia started to develop a distinct STI strategy framework, governance structure and policy - helps to better understand some of the current strengths and weaknesses of the national innovation system and related policies. While the country was still a British colony, the increasing needs of industrialised countries for raw materials spurred the growth of Malaysian production and exports of tin and rubber. Malaysia accounted for half of the w'orld production of tin at the end of the 19th century and of rubber in the 1920s.