
PETALING JAYA: The investment, trade and industry ministry is investigating claims that a tech company from China is training artificial intelligence (AI) models in Malaysia using Nvidia-powered servers.
This follows a Wall Street Journal report suggesting that a Chinese company might be using Malaysian-based data centres to sidestep US restrictions on advanced chips.
The ministry said it “is still in the process” of verifying the matter with relevant agencies to determine whether any domestic laws had been violated.
However, it noted that such servers were not categorised as controlled items under the Strategic Trade Act 2010, and that local data centres were free to operate commercially, provided they adhered to Malaysian regulations.
Still, the ministry said, Malaysia would stand firm against any individual or company that attempted to circumvent export controls or engage in illicit trade activities.
“The ministry remains committed to facilitating legitimate trade and fostering a secure and responsible investment and trade environment, ensuring that all technology-related investments and trade align with international best practices as well as with multilaterally agreed commitments,” it said in a statement today.
It also affirmed Malaysia’s compliance with global trade rules, including export controls relevant to the semiconductor and AI sectors.
“The ministry will always act firmly against any company operating in Malaysia, including those involved in the semiconductor and AI industries, that violates Malaysian and international trading regulations,” it said.
Saying Malaysia did not take sides over unilateral sanctions, it reminded companies operating here to comply with other countries’ export controls in their international dealings to avoid secondary sanctions.
Since 2019, the US has imposed sweeping export restrictions on advanced AI chips, particularly those produced by Nvidia, over national security concerns and the potential for military use.
US officials were previously investigating whether DeepSeek bought advanced Nvidia semiconductors through third parties in Singapore, skirting Washington’s restrictions.
Source: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2025/06/18/miti-verifying-claims-of-chinese-firm-training-ai-models-with-nvidia-servers