[This is a sponsored article written in collaboration with Selangor Information Technology & Digital Economy Corporation (Sidec).]
You might’ve known Malaysia as a BTS member in the semiconductor world. No, not the boyband, but a behind-the-scenes player that ships millions of chips by assembling, testing, and packaging them.
But that’s all about to change.
In March 2025, Malaysia inked a US$250 million, 10-year deal with UK semiconductor firm Arm Holdings to license seven advanced chip designs and train 10,000 engineers in the process.
In other words, we’re placing a serious bet on the future of homegrown intellectual property (IP), transitioning from “Made in Malaysia” to “Made by Malaysia”.
At the core of this shift is the Malaysia Semiconductor IC Design Park, an initiative spearheaded by the Selangor government under Sidec and the federal government through the Ministry of Economy.
12 companies, 1 IC design park
A centralised innovation ecosystem, the Malaysia Semiconductor IC Design Park is designed to incubate semiconductor breakthroughs. It serves as a space to foster knowledge sharing, R&D, collaboration, and real-time innovation.
Here, 12 established local and global semiconductor companies work side by side:
- MaiStorage Technology Sdn Bhd
- SkyeChip
- Infinecs Systems Sdn Bhd
- Airis Labs Ltd.
- Tenasic Technology
- Cortical Labs
- NSW Automation
- WyseTime Solution
- Weeroc Space Sdn Bhd
- Alphaswift Industries
- ChipInventor
- First Chip Sdn Bhd
Each of them has made significant contributions to the semiconductor industry. For example, SkyeChip is known for its expertise in developing advanced IP and ASIC products. On the other hand, MaiStorage is one of the world’s leading independent suppliers of NAND controller ICs and storage solutions.
Beyond that, though, the 15,000 sq. ft. park is a platform that empowers businesses with a slew of facilities and support.
Infrastructure, funding, and support all in one place
To start off, it provides a dynamic environment that’s fully-fitted with co-working spaces, high-tech advanced chip design infrastructure, and specialised chip development labs.
These state-of-the-art facilities and labs provide comprehensive support and open access to the local advanced chip design community, enabling innovation that meets global supply chain and market demands.
They’re equipped with cutting-edge post-silicon, advanced test, and packaging equipment for advanced semiconductor chip development.
“In addition, an upcoming advanced emulation system will soon be available, providing critical capabilities for AI chip development by enabling rapid verification, system-level prototyping, and performance optimisation before fabrication,” a spokesperson from Sidec shared.
Companies can gain access to industry-leading infrastructure as well, such as Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools, IP services, Multi-Project Wafer (MPW) services, and other modern testing tools.
To allow businesses to focus on innovation, the Malaysia Semiconductor IC Design Park subsidises up to 100% on the use of essential IC design tools and equipment.
Moreover, it facilitates access to private and public funding. Aligned with the National Semiconductor Strategy, companies are provided with early-stage investment opportunities, capital expenditure allowances, and income tax exemptions for up to 10 years.
Its notable investing partners are Selangor Semiconductor Fud (SSF), Artem Ventures, and Permodalan Negeri Selangor Berhad (PNSB) have collectively contributed US$23.7 million (RM100 million) to the fund.
Did we mention that office rent, utilities, and internet are also subsidised for the first three years?
Where Malaysia’s next chip engineers are being trained
But what sets the park apart from other innovation hubs is the talent that powers it all.
Just last month, the Advanced Semiconductor Academy of Malaysia (ASEM) officially launched the Arm On-Demand Training Programme. It’s the first ever Arm-led training programme in Malaysia that brings together engineering students and professionals to upskill in IC design and advanced technologies.
Hosted under the Malaysia Semiconductor IC Design Park initiative, the programme is the nation’s effort to develop a high-tech workforce.
“We aim to train, upskill, and reskill 20,000 engineers, achieving 30% of the National Semiconductor Strategy’s talent KPI,” said Angel Low, General Manager of ASEM. “This will help ensure Malaysia remains at the forefront of the global semiconductor value chain—with Selangor leading the charge.”
This first cohort consists of 400 engineers, representing participants from over 40 universities and more than 80 companies.
The programme covers areas such as the Arm Cortex-A, Cortex-R, and Cortex-M processors, embedded systems, System-on-Chip (SoC) development, and provides access to Arm’s On-Demand Training platform. This includes modules on various advanced technologies like Mali GPUs, Ethos NPUs, and more.
This will foster graduates of the training programme to create homegrown chip products and solutions, supporting the country’s ambitions in the tech space and contributing to Malaysia’s growing digital economy.
From the first day of training, top candidates are matched with park tenants while remaining talents are introduced to other leading semiconductor companies nationwide.
ASEM currently works with over 150 employers, including top firms like Intel, Infineon, Texas Instruments, Micron, and other international supply chain leaders.
Future-proofing Malaysia’s workforce
Designed to be ongoing with multiple cohorts each year, it’s expected that several groups of engineers will be trained annually to meet the growing talent demands for areas like AI and data centres.
“Our mission is to ensure that Malaysia’s brightest engineering minds are identified, trained, and placed in roles where they can make an impact—both locally and on the global stage,” Angel stated.
This spirit of bringing brilliant talents together will also be on full display at the SDEC 2025 Recruitment Day that is happening from October 8 to 11, 2025, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and Grand Hyatt KL.
Whether you’re a student, fresh graduate, or professional, this is your chance to explore roles in the digital economy and smart city sectors and to be part of Malaysia’s next wave of semiconductor breakthroughs.
Interested individuals can find out more information or register your interest here.
- Learn more about the Malaysia Semiconductor IC Design Park here.
- Learn more about Advanced Semiconductor Academy of Malaysia (ASEM) here.
- Learn more about SDEC 2025 here.
- Read stories we’re written about Malaysian startups here.
Featured Image Credit: Sidec
