Kuala Lampur, Sept. 11 -- Malaysia has just launched the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13). Not just another five-year blueprint; it's a declaration of intent to finally leap the nation into the ranks of high-income economies. Central to this ambition is a heavy bet on technology as the engine of growth, including a contentious venture into nuclear. The vision is undeniably bold. The question that hangs heavy, however, is whether Malaysia possesses the executional grit to turn this ambitious script into tangible reality.

RMK13 rightly identifies technology as the non-negotiable pathway to high-income status. Moving beyond resource requires a quantum leap in innovation. The plan's focus on building a robust digital infrastructure, fostering R&D,...