CYBERJAYA, 6 Nov -- Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim menyampaikan ucapan pada Majlis Peluncuran Malaysia Semiconductor IC Design Park 2 di Coplace 9 Cyberjaya hari ini. --fotoBERNAMA (2025) HAK CIPTA TERPELIHARA
CYBERJAYA: Malaysia's efficient hosting of the Asean Summit 2025 has given it the upper hand in attracting foreign investments, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"The world was impressed by our efficiency of our team that even (US President Donald) Trump asked if he could meet the IGP to express his admiration for the security that was provided to him by the police during his visit here.
"Everybody was asking why Asean had all the big superpowers (attending the summit)? Those who questioned this never finished reading the story. The world's eyes are now on Malaysia after it successfully hosted the Asean Summit 2025, which included superpowers and countries such as the United States, China, Brazil and South Africa.
"This is because Malaysia and Asean will only succeed if we increase our trade and investments beyond ourselves. We also needed to strengthen our networking with countries like the United States, as they have strength (in trade). Our exports to the United States are high, accounting for 20% of their semiconductor imports, worth about RM200bil. This involves thousands of supply chains and supports thousands of jobs. We also work with China as their advancements are miraculous.
"I am good with everyone, as this is for the good of the nation, and we are a trading nation open to everyone," he said during his speech at the launching ceremony of the Malaysia Semiconductor IC Design Park 2 here on Thursday (Nov 6).
Also present at the event were Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong and Selangor executive council member Ng Sze Han.
"I congratulate the Selangor state government, the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) and government agencies for having executed this semiconductor IC design park, and if this efficiency is maintained, Selangor will have an IC Design Park 3 soon," said Anwar.
Semiconductor IC design is the process of creating integrated circuits on a tiny chip.
Anwar further said that semiconductor projects must be complemented with research centres and the best infrastructure.
"However, it would not mean much to us as a nation if it's all migrant labour (working in the sector). Our youths should be upskilled and reskilled. We should provide incentives to make Malaysia the top investment destination, but to protect the nation's interests, we should also provide a trained talent pool from local youths," said Anwar.
He commended the speed of setting up the IC Design Park 2 within three months with 300 trainees.
Earlier, Selangor Mentri Besar Amirudin said that the IC design park was crucial to develop Malaysia's first locally designed chip.
"Seven companies within the IC Design Park are now leading participants in the ARM CSS and AFA Design Token initiatives, a crucial step in our nation’s journey to develop Malaysia’s first locally designed chip by 2027 or 2028.
"To strengthen our efforts in empowering the semiconductor industry, the Selangor government, through GLCs such as Sidec and PNSB, has collaborated with Artem Venture Fund to establish the Selangor Semiconductor Fund (Ehsan Capital).
"This fund targets over RM100mil in capital and will commence operations in November 2025, focusing its investments on at least seven high-potential local startups in semiconductor design and technology.
"The establishment of this fund is not merely a financial instrument - it is a long-term commitment by the State Government to nurture local experts in research, development, and chip design technology. This ensures that Malaysia becomes not only a technology user but also a creator of innovation in this region.
"I also welcome two key initiatives under ASEM - the National Semiconductor Excellence Program (NSEP) and the Global Semiconductor Exchange Programme (GSEP) - through which 300 students sponsored under the Khazanah Youth Development Programme (K-Youth) are now undergoing industrial training with leading companies such as AMD, STMicroelectronics, Intel, Texas Instruments, Infineon, NXP, and ASE, as well as with firms within our own ecosystem such as Maistorage, Weeroc, Chery, Skyechip, Tenasic and Oppstar," said Amirudin.
