A group of villagers convened by the riverbank, deep into thought on the potential options that lay before them. On the left: plantations, factories, assembly lines. There is a soft yellow, brown sepia that engulfs the land. Is it the prejudicial lens of modernity, gazing upon once irreplaceable pillars of our economy? Or is the warmth of the evening sky sunsetting upon these industries? Regardless, it is a dated, yet familiar comfort.

On the right, the shimmering promise of data centres, smart cities, EV chargers. Every screen invites focus and attention before another takes precedent, and another after that. Novelty dons a digital crown. People are galvanised into the unknown, although they aren’t exactly sure what they’re fighting for. Some are guaranteed to find the treasure trove, others will endlessly wander towards El Dorado. Everyday is both restless and exciting.

The villagers came to a consensus, and it was time to gather concrete and cables for a bridge that would connect both sides. Researchers were first to act with their prototypes and papers, ever eager to move from the lab into the real world. Then came the entrepreneurs, who introduced a different energy: brash, bold, loud. Corporate hatters saw their opportunity, bringing with them capital and funding. However, every party acted on their own accord, and the bridge could not hold. Calamity.

And perhaps that is our biggest challenge for Budget 2026. Yes, we can outline a perfect future that balances traditional industries with emergent ones, but whether we can align our systems, policies, industries, and moral will to walk across together is a separate question. For the success of this bridge is dependent on a concerted, integrated, and united mindset, for every hand to work in rhythm.

Our higher education institutions and R&D centres of excellence must speak to the entrepreneurs, who must then guide the workforce and human capital. Policies must embrace the slow, tedious, oft-frustrating work of building ecosystems, on top of a sustainable stream of subsidies and incentives. The rakyat must back this momentum – be passionate in your constructive opposition and critique, and equally so in your support for the nation. And we must all have the humility and grace to keep the bridge open for all, not just those already near the middle.

We are way past the point of deliberating whether we have the technical capacity or knowhow to build this bridge. It has always been within our means, and too long have we permitted this culture of villagers to stare upon this riverbank and muse on their potential. Less so bridge-building in the literal sense, it is the bridging (or lack thereof) between stakeholders; between public and private sectors; between political and corporate interests; that will determine our future.

No more about concrete and cables. Everything is at hand to move forward, and we will build this bridge, whatever it takes.