MALAYSIA must transition from being just a manufacturing destination to becoming a creator of global semiconductor value, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today, as he unveiled key progress milestones under the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS) at the ASEAN Semiconductor Summit 2025.

Speaking at the summit held at One World Hotel, Anwar emphasised that Malaysia’s future in the global chip race lies not just in attracting investment, but in building homegrown champions.

“We need to shift our mindset from ‘Made in Malaysia’ to ‘Made by Malaysia’.

“This has been a recurring theme in discussions with our ASEAN partners on how we can fully utilise this platform, especially with Malaysia as the current ASEAN Chair, to uplift our region,” Anwar said in his speech.

He said that Malaysia must move beyond depending solely on foreign direct investment (FDI) and instead focus on nurturing local giants, without turning away investors.

“This does not mean turning away investors.

“We will continue to attract strategic partners to strengthen our supply chain, transfer technologies and create long-term value for our semiconductor industry,” he added.

A key thrust of Malaysia’s semiconductor roadmap is the ambitious 10+100 initiative, a target to build 10 semiconductor companies generating between RM1 billion and RM4.7 billion in revenue, while nurturing 100 more companies on track to hit the RM1 billion mark.

“Our most important target now is to deliver the 10+100,” said Anwar.

“Malaysia must build on its local strength with a larger, regional global purpose.”

He stressed that ASEAN’s collective industrial capacity offers a strategic edge for the region, and Malaysia can emerge as a vital link between Southeast Asia and the global market.

“Through these efforts, Malaysia can become a truly indispensable nation that connects ASEAN to the world,” he said.

In a related development, Anwar announced that as of March this year, Malaysia has successfully attracted RM63 billion in semiconductor-related investments, with RM5 billion from domestic investors and RM58 billion from international sources.

“These figures reflect the confidence of both local and global players in Malaysia’s semiconductor potential,” he said.

In line with its long-term vision, Malaysia now boasts at least 13 global companies across the semiconductor value chain, surpassing its original target under the NSS.

“We want Malaysia to look back at this moment as a tipping point when the country began grooming its very own Fortune 500 tech companies,” Anwar said.

Recognising talent as the backbone of the industry, the prime minister also announced a new collaboration between CREST, Miti agencies, and HRD Corp, aimed at building a sustainable semiconductor talent pipeline from 2025 to 2030.

“This is a key commitment under the NSS.

“We are allocating RM1.2 billion over the next five years to ensure our industry has the skilled workforce it needs to grow,” he said.

Anwar concluded by calling on all stakeholders, government, industry and academia, to continue strengthening strategies and introduce essential new elements to drive Malaysia’s transformation into a global semiconductor powerhouse.

Also present earlier were Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister Liew Chin Tong, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong, and other industry leaders.

Story by Kevin Vimal Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhammad