{
  "id": 5433301,
  "title": "Malaysia’s chip ambitions: From assembly hub to semiconductor powerhouse",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/malaysias-chip-ambitions-from-assembly-hub-to-semiconductor-powerhouse",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-03T23:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/04/malaysias-chip-ambitions-from-assembly-hub-to-semiconductor-powerhouse/233222"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Semiconductors are essential components in modern technology, used in smartphones, cars, bank cards, air-conditioners, and data centres for artificial intelligence (AI). Malaysia, a country with a strong presence in the semiconductor industry, is now focusing on expanding its role beyond traditional assembly, packaging, and testing activities. The Malaysian government aims to move up the value chain by developing capabilities in chip design, advanced packaging, semiconductor equipment, and research and development.\n\nA semiconductor is a material that controls the flow of electricity, with silicon being the most commonly used. Integrated circuits (ICs), or \"chips,\" made from these materials contain interconnected electronic components and microscopic transistors that process electrical signals. Various chips serve different functions, such as CPUs for general computing, GPUs for AI and data centers, memory chips for data storage, and microcontrollers for controlling functions in products like cars and washing machines.\n\nMalaysia's semiconductor industry has grown over the past five decades and is now a substantial component of the global supply chain, accounting for about 13% of global back-end semiconductor assembly, testing, and packaging, as well as 7% of global semiconductor trade. In 2024, semiconductor exports reached RM387.98 billion, making up 64.5% of Malaysia's RM601.21 billion in electronics and electrical equipment (E&E) exports. Investment in the broader semiconductor ecosystem has also risen, with RM218.5 billion in approved investments recorded in the first half of 2026, generating 12,461 jobs.\n\nThe Malaysian government's goal is to increase the country's semiconductor investment to RM500 billion by 2030, develop companies capable of competing globally, and train 60,000 high-skilled engineers. The strategy includes initiatives for advanced packaging, IC design start-ups, and a semiconductor park, aiming to expand Malaysia's role in the semiconductor value chain, not just in manufacturing. This shift is evident through Malaysia's partnership with British semiconductor technology company ARM Limited, which aims to train 10,000 professionals and provide selected Malaysian companies access to ARM technology and intellectual property. The government targets locally manufactured chips developed through this collaboration to enter production by 2030.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 — Semiconductors are behind much of the technology people use every day, from smartphone...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Malaysia’s chip ambitions: From assembly hub to semiconductor powerhouse",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/malaysias-chip-ambitions-from-assembly-hub-to-semiconductor-powerhouse-5439288",
        "published": "2026-09-03T23:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "5 firms could boost Malaysia’s high-value semiconductor industry, says expert",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/5-firms-could-boost-malaysias-high-value-semiconductor-industry-says",
        "published": "2026-09-03T23:15:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}