KUALA LUMPUR, March 5 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s comprehensive partnership with ARM Holdings Plc represents the start of a second semiconductor wave, marking a fundamental shift in the country’s approach to semiconductors and technology, which will shape our future, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"We have conceived one of the most ambitious technological plans Malaysia has ever seen: to pioneer 'Made by Malaysia’ AI chips.
"These chips will be designed, manufactured, tested and assembled here, and sold to the rest of the world," he said in his keynote address at the Strategic Collaboration in Semiconductor Industry, here today.
Anwar said the partnership has three key features: firstly, it aims to establish comprehensive training programmes for 10,000 integrated circuit (IC) design engineers, thereby creating a robust talent pipeline for the semiconductor industry.
Second, it would provide selected Malaysian companies with privileged access to ARM's cutting-edge technology and internet protocol (IP) portfolio.
Third, the partnership would facilitate the development of locally designed semiconductor products, advancing the nation's goal of producing more advanced chips in Malaysia.
"Beyond offering state-of-the-art technologies that cover all parts of semiconductor design, Arm is also establishing its first ASEAN office in Kuala Lumpur, to expand outreach to ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand markets.
“I am thankful for the trust that the Arm senior management has placed in our country," Anwar said.
The prime minister highlighted that the partnership was made possible by a cross-ministerial effort involving the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), the Economic Ministry, and the Finance Ministry.
The prime minister also emphasised the need for the entire government machinery, universities, research centres, industries, and science agencies to be fully mobilised to meet the needs of the semiconductor industry.
This is to ensure that the younger generation receives adequate training in terms of qualifications, capabilities, and skills so they can benefit from the development of giant semiconductor companies such as Arm.
“With Arm, a giant in the AI semiconductor field, and as mentioned as the catalyst for change, I believe Malaysia is in the right position.
“I want to stress that the preparations are not only in terms of the ecosystem but also the training and all necessary resources should be mobilised to implement this programme,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
