KUCHING: Sarawak advanced its artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor ambitions as its wholly owned company, SMD Semiconductor, sealed a strategic alliance with South Korea’s Rebellions Inc. through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exchange at the International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (IDECS25).
The partnership held today at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) was witnessed by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
In a statement, SMD Semiconductor said the MoU strengthens a Sarawak, Malaysia-Korea partnership that aims to challenge global dominance in the AI chip market, long led by industry titan, Nvidia Corporation.
This partnership follows the strategic engagement held in Seongnam City, South Korea on October 1, where SMD Semiconductor participated as part of the Sarawak delegation led by Datuk Seri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, the Deputy State Secretary of Sarawak.
Rebellions Inc., a company incorporated in the Republic of Korea and recognised as a global leader in AI technologies, brings proven expertise in designing AI chips that power next-generation AI inference, computing and advanced applications.
Together, the two organisations aim to turn this partnership into a platform for AI hardware innovation, semiconductor capability building, and commercialisation of new AI technologies that position Sarawak and Malaysia as serious contenders on the world stage.
The MoU includes joint initiatives in data centre power management, industry-scale AI applications, training programmes with local universities and potential equity investment opportunities, paving the way for deeper technological integration between both nations.
As the Premier prepares to represent Malaysia as the keynote speaker at the ASEAN Conference on AI Adoption 2025, this partnership further underscores Sarawak’s leadership in advancing high-value technology industries.
It also reinforces the state’s commitment to the Sarawak Semiconductor Roadmap 2030 – Beyond Moore’s Law, positioning Sarawak as Malaysia’s front-runner in the global semiconductor value chain.
SMD Semiconductor Chairman, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, said the MoU reflects Sarawak’s long-term vision of building a semiconductor industry that changes lives and shapes the future.
“This collaboration goes beyond technology; it is about people’s transformation. We are laying the foundation of an ecosystem that will empower our youth, strengthen our economy and drive sustainable innovation,” he said.
“As we move forward with our partners, we are not just building chips; we are building capability, connectivity and confidence, positioning Sarawak as a force in the global semiconductor landscape.”
Meanwhile, SMD Semiconductor’s Chief Eexcutive Officer, Shariman Jamil, said that SMD Semiconductor is not just a participant, but a challenger in the global semiconductor arena.
“Together with Rebellions Inc., we’re uniting Korea’s cutting-edge AI chip expertise with Malaysia’s emerging semiconductor ecosystem to create a new player capable of standing alongside and competing with Nvidia,” he said.
“This collaboration puts Sarawak on the map as the engine room of Malaysia’s semiconductor future.”
The signing marks another milestone for SMD Semiconductor, following the recent Document Exchange Ceremony with UK counterparts, another major leap towards transforming Sarawak from a technology adopter into a technology producer.
The partnership comes on the heels of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement of RM550 million under Budget 2026 to strengthen Malaysia’s semiconductor ecosystem, a clear signal of the nation’s commitment to becoming a global semiconductor powerhouse.
