KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s drive to strengthen its semiconductor ecosystem has moved into the implementation stage with the launch of SemiconStart Malaysia, signalling the government’s focus on translating plans into tangible industry outcomes.
Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the initiative marks the start of a coordinated effort to foster innovation, commercialisation and technology development.
“Over the past year, much attention has been given to strengthening Malaysia’s semiconductor ecosystem through the National Semiconductor Strategy. Important targets have been announced, resources have been committed and new initiatives have been introduced.
“These are necessary steps, but ultimately, strategies must be translated into action,” he said in his keynote address at the launch of SemiconStart Malaysia here today.
Also present were Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Datuk Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour and Malaysian Technology Development Corporation chairman Tan Sri Abd Rahman Mamat.
SemiconStart Malaysia is a national semiconductor incubation programme designed to support the growth of high-potential Malaysian and Malaysia-based semiconductor ventures in higher-value segments of the global semiconductor value chain.
Amir Hamzah said that for many years, Malaysia’s success was measured by its ability to participate in global supply chains, but today, success is increasingly measured by the ability to create value within the supply chains, with the source of value shifting towards innovation, advanced technologies and specialised capabilities.
He said the question is no longer whether Malaysia can be part of the semiconductor industry, but whether it can create more value within the industry, develop more intellectual property, build more globally competitive technology companies and produce the next generation of innovators who will shape the future of the sector.
Amir Hamzah said this aspiration is aligned with the National Semiconductor Strategy, which seeks to strengthen Malaysia’s position across the semiconductor value chain through innovation, talent development and home-grown technology capabilities.
He added that Malaysia possesses many of the foundations required to succeed, including established industrial capabilities, strong institutions, a growing innovation ecosystem and a strategic position within global supply chains, but the challenge is to build upon these strengths to create greater value for the country.
He said building technological capability is not a short-term undertaking and requires sustained investment in talent, research, infrastructure, entrepreneurship and ecosystem development, as well as consistency of purpose.
The government remains committed to strengthening the innovation and technology ecosystem through strategic policies, targeted investments and partnerships that support long-term economic transformation.
“The impact of these efforts will not be measured solely by investment figures or economic statistics. It will also be measured by the capabilities we develop, the technologies we commercialise, the industries we strengthen and the opportunities we create for future generations.
“Our objective is clear. We want Malaysia to be recognised not only as a trusted participant in global technology value chains, but also as a source of innovation, intellectual property and globally competitive technology companies,“ Amir Hamzah said.
