‘Shine a spotlight on our semiconductor makers'

The Star

2 days ago

Beacon of the region: Anwar (third from left) visiting booths at the Asean Semiconductor Summit 2025, accompanied by Tengku Zafrul (second from left). — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Malaysians must take pride in having not just 'Made in Malaysia' goods but also those that are 'Made by Malaysians' such as semiconductors, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
'Our mindset must shift from just having 'Made in Malaysia' products to creating 'Made by Malaysian' products.'
'In terms of growing 10 semiconductor firms with revenue of more than US$1bil and 100 others with revenue less than RM1bil, I am proud to share that Malaysia now has at least 13 homegrown companies (across the semiconductor value chain) emerging as potential national champions.
'Less than 50 years from now, we want Malaysia to be able to look back at this moment as the tipping point when the country began grooming its very own Fortune 500 tech companies.'
Malaysia is currently the world's sixth largest exporter of semiconductors.
Anwar, who spoke at the closing of the Asean Semiconductor Summit 2025 here yesterday, said investors are always welcome but Malaysia would be more strategic and prudent by choosing partners 'who strengthen our supply chains, transfer their knowledge and technologies, and deliver real value to Malaysians'.
He also pointed out that the National Semiconductor Strategy launched last year has proven to be successful as Malaysia has secured more than RM63bil worth of investments for the industry as of March this year.
This comprised RM58bil from foreign sources with the rest from domestic sources.
'Our established semiconductor ecosystem is well-poised to help us move beyond an FDI-first model and focus on building homegrown champions.
'We want long-term collaborators who grow with us. The most important target now is to deliver the 10+100.
'This means building 10 Malaysian semiconductor and supply chain companies with revenues between RM1bil and RM4.7bil, and nurturing at least 100 more to approach the RM1bil mark.
'These companies will not only export Malaysian products to the world, but also bring our knowledge, value creation and talent into Asean and the global markets. They will be our flag bearers abroad, rooted at home.'
Anwar said more than 60,000 engineers would be created in a partnership between the Colla­borative Research in Engi­nee­ring, Science and Technology under the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry and HRD Corp under the Human Resources Ministry with an allocation of RM1.2bil over five years.
He also called on Asean countries to work as a community to address the shortage in skilled workers for the semiconductor industry.
Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said 'Made by Malaysia' is a vision that requires a whole-of-nation effort.
'Every RM1 spent triggers over RM2 in direct output across the economy – through supply chains, supporting sectors and household incomes.
'In total, the industry generated RM4.9 trillion in economic output last year, underscoring its role as a national multiplier,' he said.
He also said Asean countries must move beyond fragmented efforts and instead embrace a collective 'race to the top,' leveraging each nation's unique strengths.