KUALA LUMPUR, November 27 – Malaysia is grappling with a shortage of high-level specialist engineers despite a robust network of factories and design centres, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz said in Dewan Rakyat.
Highlighting a global scarcity of top-tier engineering talent, he noted that companies are collaborating with local universities and offering specialised training, while the government provides incentives to nurture Malaysian engineers with advanced skills.
To address the talent gap, Tengku Zafrul revealed that the government is exploring policies to allow international students graduating from Malaysian institutions to remain and work in the country. He also emphasized Malaysia’s neutral stance in accessing geopolitically sensitive AI hardware.
Stating that the nation aims to strengthen its semiconductor industry while encouraging investment from both American and Chinese technology providers, ultimately seeking to move up the value chain in IC design and wafer fabrication.
