GEORGE TOWN, July 30 – Coherent Corp. (NYSE: COHR), a global leader in photonics, has officially launched its first Datacom Research and Development Center in Penang, Malaysia. Located at Menara IJM Land, the new center marks a strategic expansion of the company’s footprint in Southeast Asia, joining its existing manufacturing sites in Ipoh and Perai.
The facility is poised to lead innovation in next-generation silicon photonics and high-speed optical transceivers for AI and cloud computing applications. The launch was officiated by Dato’ Loo Lee Lian, CEO of InvestPenang (on behalf of the Chief Minister of Penang), alongside Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, CEO of MIDA, and senior Coherent leadership.
Dato’ Loo emphasized Penang’s growing role in global tech innovation, while MIDA CEO Datuk Shamsul underscored how the center aligns with Malaysia’s National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS), which promotes R&D and high-value technology development. Equipped with cutting-edge capabilities to develop 400G, 800G, and 1.6T optical modules.
The new center is expected to accelerate Coherent’s ability to serve global markets. Coherent Malaysia’s leadership reaffirmed their commitment to long-term innovation and talent development in the region, positioning Penang as a key hub for photonics and semiconductor excellence.
