17-07-2025
MSE's RM90 Mln Matching Fund Launched To Position M'sia As Advanced Semiconductor Packaging Hub
GENERAL
KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's Science Endowment matching fund for the semiconductor sector amounting to RM90 million, has been launched to position the country as a global hub in advanced packaging technology, an area currently dominated by a handful of countries such as Taiwan.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said that the semiconductor matching fund is expected to modernise Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) towards advanced packaging, in line with the vision of the National Semiconductor Strategy.
"This strategic initiative will also meet the growing global demand for artificial intelligence (AI) chips and boost the country's electrical and electronics (E&E) exports.
"I would like to emphasise that this is not just a form of government investment but also an open invitation to the local industry to step forward, explore new research opportunities, innovate boldly, and strengthen Malaysia's position in the global value chain for next-generation semiconductor manufacturing," he said.
He said this at the 30th Anniversary of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) and the 2024 and 2025 Fellow Awards ceremony here tonight. Also present were the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) Chang Lih Kang and the President of ASM, Datuk Dr Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen.
Fadillah said the country's achievement of climbing 11 places to the 23rd in the World Competitiveness Ranking by the Institute for Management Development 2025 recently should serve as a catalyst to further strengthen local technological innovation and expand strategic cooperation between the research and industry sectors.
He noted that Malaysia is now in a crucial phase of enhancing its competitiveness by transitioning to a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy, shifting from a 'Made in Malaysia' model to 'Made by Malaysia', in line with the emphasis of the 13th Malaysia Plan.
"To realise this aspiration, the government through ASM must unite expertise, coordinate resources, and strengthen the cooperation between the government, industry, academia, and the community," he said.
In conjunction with Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship this year, Fadillah urged scientists and researchers to strengthen regional cooperation networks.
