KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 — Six homegrown semiconductor chips developed by companies within the Malaysian Semiconductor IC Design Park have a combined estimated sales potential of RM300 million, said Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.
He said the innovations demonstrate Malaysia’s growing capabilities in integrated circuit (IC) design and its ambition to move beyond manufacturing to developing and owning technology.
“Our next phase of growth must focus on creating and retaining greater value through ‘Made by Malaysia’,” he said at the launch of the six chips at the Selangor AI & Semiconductor Summit (AiSEM), held in conjunction with the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) 2026, at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today.
The six innovations are SkyeChip Bhd’s AI processor for cameras, robots and factory systems; MaiStorage’s AI storage solution for computers and servers; SiliconX’s field-programmable gate array for industrial and automotive applications; Infinecs’ automotive power regulator; Weeroc Space’s power controller chip for satellites and space systems; and Alphaswift’s mini flight controller for autonomous systems.
Akmal said the next challenge is to secure customers, meet industry qualification requirements and scale the innovations into commercially successful products.
“These innovations show that Malaysian teams are developing technologies for demanding global applications rather than contributing only to products designed elsewhere.”
He added that Malaysia must look beyond the number of chips manufactured locally and focus on those designed domestically, the intellectual property developed and owned locally, and the economic value retained in the country.
Meanwhile, Akmal said National Semiconductor Strategy aims to strengthen Malaysia’s capabilities in IC design, advanced packaging and advanced manufacturing equipment, while developing 110 high-value semiconductor companies, comprising 10 existing local companies and 100 additional firms.
“The strategy also targets the training and upskilling of 60,000 Malaysian engineers, while the ARM On-Demand Training Programme aims to equip 10,000 Malaysians with specialised IC design skills over four years,” he said.
Akmal said the government’s partnership with ARM Ltd would provide local semiconductor companies with greater access to advanced chip-design technology and intellectual property.
At a press conference later, Akmal said Selangor, Sarawak and other states must coordinate their semiconductor efforts and investments and build on their respective strengths to strengthen Malaysia’s national ecosystem.
“As a small country, the way forward for us is definitely to rely on each other’s strengths.”
He said each state offers different expertise and advantages across the semiconductor value chain, adding that investments in individual states could generate benefits nationally if their capabilities are properly coordinated.
He cited Selangor’s IC design ecosystem as an example of how industry players, talent, design tools and investment can be pooled, while Penang, Kedah and Sarawak offer complementary strengths.
He added that Malaysia must continue developing its semiconductor ecosystem, including nurturing start-ups and expanding markets for locally developed chips, to keep pace with technological advancements.
“High-growth, high-value industries will be crucial to increasing the contribution of high-skill workers’ output from 31 per cent in 2025 to 35 per cent under the 13th Malaysia Plan,” Akmal noted.
