KUCHING: Sarawak is well positioned to emerge as a new hub for the nation’s semiconductor industry following discussions with the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA).
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the state’s geographical location, stable energy supply and investor-friendly environment placed Sarawak in a strong position to attract high-technology investments.
“First, in terms of location, Sarawak is strategically situated at the centre of Asia and is not far from countries such as China, India and Australia.
“Sarawak also has an adequate energy supply, particularly renewable energy,” he told reporters after the meeting here on Monday (Jan 19).
The Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment (MINTRED) said the availability of reliable energy, particularly renewable energy, was a key factor for semiconductor and high-technology industries.
He said Sarawak’s green energy capacity not only supported operational needs but also added value to manufactured products, a factor increasingly recognised at the international level.
On human capital, he said the state government was placing emphasis on talent and skills development as part of its long-term preparations, with technology development being a key focus at the pre-tertiary education level this year.
He added that improvements to sea and air connectivity in industrial areas had also been identified as among the critical requirements to support the overall growth of the semiconductor industry.
Awang Tengah also stressed the importance of strengthening international strategic collaborations, including with the United States, China, Taiwan and Singapore, to ensure Sarawak and Malaysia remained relevant within the global semiconductor supply chain.
