KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will now officially enter its second semiconductor wave, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
This comes after the Malaysian government inked an official agreement with UK-based ARM Holdings Plc to secure semiconductor design licences and technology over the next decade to move the country’s chip industry up the value chain.
The Prime Minister said Malaysia’s collaboration with ARM represented the start of the semiconductor wave, noting how it marks a fundamental shift in the country’s approach to semiconductors and technology.
Through this partnership, Malaysia has the ambitious goal of pioneering Made by Malaysia AI chips.
“These chips will be designed, manufactured, tested and assembled here, and sold to the rest of the world,” Anwar said in his keynote address at the launching ceremony of strategic collaborations in the semiconductor industry here on Wednesday (March 5).
The Prime Minister said the partnership has three key features, which includes establishing comprehensive training programmes for 10,000 IC (integrated circuit) design engineers thereby creating a robust talent pipeline for the country’s semiconductor industries.
“All relevant industries in the public and private sectors, must focus and start this programme immediately.
“The various ministers must receive monthly reports on the plans in collaboration with ARM and industries,” he said.
Selected Malaysian companies will also have access to ARM’s technology and IP portfolio.
“It wil also facilitate the development of locally designed semiconductor products, advancing the nation’s goal of producing more advanced chips in Malaysia,” said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister said ARM will also establish its first Asean office in Kuala Lumpur, with the aim of expanding outreach to the Asean, Australia and New Zealand markets.
Anwar also acknowledged cross-ministerial efforts by the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry, Malaysian Investment Development Authority, Finance Ministry and Economy Ministry for working to make this partnership a reality.
“Together, these ministries have worked diligently to secure Malaysia’s position as a semiconductor leader.
“I am confident that we will create economic multipliers that are not confined by the beautiful shores of Malaysia,” said Anwar.
Also present were Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, ARM chief executive officer Rene Haas and other senior ARM officials.
