Sarawak Eyes Role As Regional Hub For Advanced Manufacturing, Semiconductors
KUCHING, Sept 12 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak government has reaffirmed its commitment to position the state as a regional hub for advanced manufacturing and semiconductors, anchored on renewable energy, strong infrastructure, and talent development.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said a series of strategic measures are being rolled out to attract high-value investments and strengthen Sarawak’s global competitiveness.
“Our commitment to infrastructure, talent development, clean and affordable energy, and digital transformation is part of a deliberate strategy to make Sarawak the preferred destination for advanced manufacturing in the region,” he said at the X-FAB Sarawak facility expansion launching ceremony by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Sama Jaya Free Industrial Zone here, today.
He said the state’s reliance on hydropower provides industries with clean, reliable, and cost-efficient energy, consistent with global sustainability goals, a factor that has drawn companies such as X-FAB that prioritise environmental stewardship.
“The state government’s business-friendly policies, competitive water and electricity rates, and solid infrastructure have underpinned this success. The Sama Jaya Free Industrial Zone remains a magnet for investors, attracting RM15.4 billion in both foreign and domestic investments to date,” he added.
Abang Johari also stated that the state aims to attract over RM2 billion in combined public and private investment through the Sarawak Semiconductor Roadmap 2030.
To achieve the target, they premier said they aimed to forge collaborations with more than 10 global industry leaders, generate 3,000 high-skilled jobs, commercialise new intellectual properties, and train 3,000 local graduates through dedicated programmes.
On the facility, he said the latest RM3 billion expansion of X-FAB’s production capacity is a significant milestone not only for the company but also for Sarawak’s role in the global semiconductor ecosystem.
“This marks a substantial step forward, raising X-FAB Sarawak’s monthly wafer production from 30,000 wafer starts per month to 40,000 wafer starts per month and with future plans already in place to increase capacity to 50,000,” he added.
The premier noted that the expansion of the facility will enhance local capabilities in advanced semiconductor design, integration, and innovation, propelling Sarawak into a leadership role within Malaysia’s semiconductor industry. “Most importantly, Sarawak is not just a participant but a competitive leader in the national semiconductor sector,” he said.
Meanwhile, the chief executive officer of X-FAB Group, Rudi De Winter, stated that the expansion not only increases X-FAB Sarawak's overall monthly capacity by 10,000 wafers but also enhances the site's capacity for their popular 180nm BCD-on-SOI technology, which is essential for these types of applications.
“I am grateful for the continued support from Malaysia Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and the Sarawak government, enabling us to achieve this major milestone for the future success of the entire X-FAB Group,” he said.
-- BERNAMA