KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 – Malaysia has taken a significant step toward becoming a global semiconductor leader with the launch of a strategic collaboration between the government and Arm Limited. Announced by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, this initiative aligns with the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS) and aims to move Malaysia beyond semiconductor assembly into high-value activities such as IC design and advanced manufacturing.
As part of the agreement, Arm will establish its first ASEAN office in Kuala Lumpur and collaborate with Malaysian agencies to develop Made-by-Malaysia AI chips, further cementing the nation’s role in the global semiconductor supply chain. The four-year partnership will train 10,000 IC design engineers, provide Malaysian companies access to Arm’s advanced semiconductor technologies, and drive the development of locally designed chips.
MITI Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Aziz emphasized the transformative impact of this collaboration, highlighting Malaysia’s RM55.8 billion approved E&E investments in 2024 as a testament to the country’s growing role in the semiconductor industry. With record-breaking investments of RM378.5 billion last year, Malaysia’s semiconductor sector is poised for significant growth, attracting global players and positioning the nation as a key innovation hub in Asia.
