Sarawak Premier says state must build advanced chip design and digital tech capabilities to compete in global semiconductor and AI race.
KUCHING: Sarawak must strengthen its capabilities in advanced chip design and digital technologies to remain competitive as global powers intensify the contest for dominance in the semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors, Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said.
He said the struggle for control over chip manufacturing and satellite-based data systems is shaping the future global economy, with countries investing heavily to secure technological leadership.
“Those who can command and manufacture new chips will command the digital economy,” he said in his speech at the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation’s (SDEC) fifth anniversary celebration here last night.
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According to him, the rapid growth of AI has created an unprecedented demand for high-performance chips capable of processing massive datasets, resulting in new material innovations such as gallium nitride (GaN), which can withstand heat generated by complex data operations.
He said research carried by Sarawak Microelectronics Design (SMD) on white wafer GaN-based chips marks the state’s early steps toward building its own technological capacity in support of emerging AI industries.
“Silicon can no longer tolerate the heat when millions of data are processed in one chip. That is why we are moving towards gallium nitride, which can handle higher loads and support AI-powered applications,” Abang Johari said.
He said the control over satellite technology will also determine the future economic direction, as the technology collects and transmits vast amounts of data, while Sarawak’s location in the tropics positions it strategically for satellite development and launch activities.
With global competition intensifying, Sarawak must continue investing in research, advanced manufacturing and digital infrastructure to safeguard its economic resilience, he said.
“Our future depends on our ability to master these technologies. The world is moving fast, and we must prepare ourselves,” he added. – Bernama
