KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia rebounded to close higher on Wednesday on selective buying of defensive stocks after a volatile trading session. IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan said consumer products and services stocks lifted the key index higher, overcoming lingering geopolitical concerns. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 3.08 points to 1,715.56 from yesterday’s close of 1,712.48. The benchmark index, which opened 1.91 points higher at 1,714.39, moved between 1,710.79 and 1,720.59 during the day’s trading. In the broader market, gainers outstripped decliners 550 to 476, while 612 counters were unchanged, 1,129 untraded, and 48 suspended. Turnover rose to 2.96 billion units valued at RM2.48 billion from 2.94 billion units valued at RM2.56 billion on Tuesday.
Malaysia has just locked in RM63 billion (≈ US$13.4 billion) in chip‑sector investments as of March 2025—a record haul that signals the country’s coming‑of‑age as a serious semiconductor hub.
Where the Money Comes From
Foreign inflows dominate: RM58 billion (92%) arrives from overseas investors, while RM5 billion is local.
Flagship projects:
Carsem is building advanced packaging lines for energy‑efficient chips used in EVs and AI gear.
Infineon is erecting the world’s largest 200 mm silicon‑carbide power‑chip fab.
NXP, Syntiant and Plexus add sensor and manufacturing firepower.
National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS) at a Glance
Launched in May 2024, the three‑phase NSS packs RM25 billion in fiscal support to:
Nurture local “champions”
Grow integrated‑circuit (IC) design talent
Expand advanced‑packaging capacity
Strengthen equipment manufacturing capabilities.
Home‑Grown Champions on the Rise
Thirteen Malaysian firms already qualify as potential champions:
Nine—including Carsem, Inari, Pentamaster, ViTrox, Kelington—are set to clear RM500 million in revenue this year.
Four IC‑design specialists—Oppstar, SkyeChip, Infinecs and Experior—are growing revenue at 25%+ a year.
Funding & Talent Pipeline
RM2 billion in extra capital is being mobilised via Khazanah, KWAP and the GEAR‑uP programme, with Bank Negara and global partners also pitching in.
RM1.2 billion is earmarked to train 60,000 engineers by 2030, led by CREST and HRD Corp.
Why It Matters
Prime Minister Anwar calls this “Malaysia’s tipping point” toward producing its own future Fortune 500 tech giants and anchoring a resilient ASEAN chip supply chain.
Conclusion & Key Takeaways
RM63 billion secured: Malaysia is now on investors’ semiconductor radar.
92% foreign funding: A strong global vote of confidence.
Big‑ticket builds: Carsem’s packaging lines and Infineon’s SiC power‑fab will serve booming EV and AI demand.
Government muscle: RM25 billion in incentives plus RM1.2 billion for talent ensures long‑term support.
Local winners emerging: Watch Inari, ViTrox, Oppstar and peers as revenue rockets.
Regional ambition: As 2025 ASEAN Chair, Malaysia aims to turn the bloc into a world‑class, shock‑resistant chip hub.
With cash, talent and policy now lining up, Malaysia’s semiconductor story has shifted from “potential” to full‑on growth mode—and the next few years could be pivotal for both investors and the broader tech ecosystem.
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