PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s semiconductor push gained further traction as Austrian circuit board manufacturer AT&S expands its Kulim, Kedah operations, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said the expansion follows meetings and discussions held in early June and is expected to further strengthened the country's high-value manufacturing ecosystem.
"The investment is expected to bolster the country’s semiconductor ecosystem and create more high-skilled jobs for Malaysians," he said in a social media post on Tuesday (June 16).
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said the strong confidence from international investors such as AT&S underscores Malaysia’s clear policy direction, political stability, improved governance, and the government’s push for economic transformation.
"Together, these factors are positioning the country as a leading hub for advanced technology investment and a new centre of regional growth.
"The development also reflects growing trust and commitment to Malaysia’s digital economy agenda, translating ambitions into tangible, high-impact investments on the ground," added Anwar.
On June 6, the Prime Minister said the company presently employs about 2,700 workers there.
He said Malaysia was one of AT&S’ major production hubs, alongside Austria, China and India, reflecting global investors’ continued confidence in the country’s capabilities and competitiveness.
“AT&S is a global leader in high-value Integrated Circuit (IC) substrates and printed circuit boards," he said.
According to Reuters, AT&S announced it is investing up to €2 billion (RM10bil) in Malaysia to capitalise on the AI boom, sending its shares soaring nearly 30%.
"We will fully expand our site in Kulim," the company's CEO Michael Mertin told Reuters in an interview on Monday (June 15).
AT&S said the investments required for additional production capacity at the existing plant and in the previously unused building at the second plant in Kulim were fully supported and financed by long-term customer commitments.
"We expect to have represented at least five of the leading high-tech clients we know as tech partners from the U.S.," said Mertin.
