The National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS) aims not only to attract RM500 billion in investments but also to develop competitive homegrown companies under the “Made by Malaysia” vision, Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong said.
Under the NSS, the government targets at least 10 Malaysian semiconductor companies with annual revenues of RM1 billion to US$1 billion, alongside more than 100 local firms approaching RM1 billion in revenue. “In the past, we used to say ‘Made in Malaysia’ regardless of ownership, as long as foreign investors have operations here. However, this time the strategy is different whereby we want Malaysian companies themselves to emerge and drive the ‘Made by Malaysia’ strategy. This means we are not only strong in manufacturing processes but also in innovation,” Liew said in response to a supplementary question from Senator Rita Sarimah Anak Patrick Insol.
Senator Rita had requested clarification on how the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) measures the success of the national Silicon Valley Vision beyond the RM500 billion investment target. Liew said the key performance indicators (KPIs) will focus on ecosystem development and the emergence of local companies capable of competing on a global scale.
Launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on May 28, 2024, the NSS seeks to transform Malaysia into a global hub for semiconductor research and development (R&D). The strategy targets integrated circuit design, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, advanced packaging and front-end processes.
Other key objectives include training and upskilling 60,000 high-skilled engineers, allocating RM25 billion to support the strategy’s implementation and ensuring Malaysia maintains a vital role in the global semiconductor supply chain amid geopolitical and economic challenges.
Source: https://www.businesstoday.com.my/2025/08/25/malaysias-nss-targets-local-champions-under-made-by-malaysia-vision/