Malaysia’s Semiconductor Exports Remain Resilient, Grow At 15.7 Pct In 1H 2025 -- Tengku Zafrul

PETALING JAYA, July 24 (Bernama) --  Malaysia’s semiconductor exports remained resilient, growing 15.7 per cent in the first six months of this year alone (1H 2025), outpacing overall export growth of 3.8 per cent, said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

He said that every RM1 spent triggers over RM2 in direct output across the economy through supply chains, supporting sectors, and household incomes.

“In total, the industry generated RM4.9 trillion in economic output last year, underscoring its role as a national multiplier,” he said in his remarks at the ASEAN Semiconductor Summit (ASEMIS) 2025, today.

Tengku Zafrul said that, amid global headwinds, the 1H 2025 performance clearly shows Malaysia’s relevance and competitiveness in the global semiconductor space.

He said that what is equally important is that this growth is spreading -- from Penang and Selangor to Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, Perak and Sarawak.

Moreover, he said it is not just lifting big players, but also nearly 1,000 small and medium enterprises that form the bedrock of its semiconductor ecosystem.

“What makes this industry so vital is also its far-reaching impact,” he said. 

The minister said that over the past year, Malaysia has made progress in several of the National Semiconductor Strategy’s strategic targets, including investments, job opportunities for Malaysians, technology, and knowledge transfer.

“Our collaboration with various stakeholders, from state governments, multinational companies and industry to agencies and universities, are truly helping to deliver the numbers to enhance the resilience of our semiconductor supply chain against global market turbulence,” he said.

In terms of funding, Tengku Zafrul said that both the public and private sectors in Malaysia, whether through private equity or the public market, have shown a commitment to supporting the semiconductor industry via multiple platforms.

Meanwhile, he said Malaysia is making good progress on its ASEAN Framework on Integrated Semiconductor Supply Chain (AFISS).

He said ASEAN must move beyond fragmented efforts and instead embrace a collective “race to the top”, leveraging each nation’s unique strengths.

“By harmonising policies, fostering talent mobility, and attracting strategic investments, we can enhance ASEAN’s competitiveness via a robust and truly integrated regional semiconductor ecosystem supply chain that benefits all our people,” he said. 

-- BERNAMA