Chow (right) addressing MSIA members during the dialogue session, moderated by MSIA secretary Solomon Lorthu.
PENANG is set to unveil its STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Talent Blueprint by the end of this quarter.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said its aim was to build a highly skilled workforce to underpin long-term growth in the state’s industrial and technological sectors.
This is in tandem with the recently announced National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS) that seeks to move the country up the value chain into higher-end manufacturing, design, packaging and equipment, as well as having 60,000 engineers by 2030.
“The working parties have presented the blueprint to the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) recently.
Wong speaking to members during the dialogue session.
“Details will be revealed during the launch,” he said while addressing members of the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA) in a dialogue session held at a hotel in George Town.
A key component in the blueprint will be the Penang Chip Design Academy, located at the Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC) building in Bayan Lepas.
This is part of the state’s ongoing work in setting up a 42.49ha integrated circuit (IC) design and digital park in the area.
This will offer over 1,000,000sq ft of space catered to end-to-end design development, as well as cultivating talent through upskilling, reskilling, academic training and hands-on experience.
“Malaysia has emerged as a significant player in the chip manufacturing industry over the past five decades, accounting for 13% of global chip assembly, testing and packaging.
“The majority of that is done in Penang, which recorded RM341bil in E&E (electrical and electronic) exports last year.
“Overall, Penang also maintained its primacy as the top exporting state with RM435bil in 2023, representing 31% of the country’s total,” Chow said.
He added that the last five years also saw the best growth of approved manufacturing investments.
A total of RM184.3bil was recorded from 2019 to 2023, compared to RM76bil from 2008 to 2018.
“With rapid technological advancements and shifting global dynamics, the state recognises the importance of fostering resilience in our ecosystem to not only weather storms, but also transform them into opportunities for growth,” he said.
MSIA president Datuk Seri Wong Siew Hai said the figures underscored Penang’s critical role in the national economy.
“The semiconductor industry is powering the future.
“The global semiconductor market is set to rise from US$574bil (RM2.56 trillion) in 2022 to a forecast of US$1 trillion (RM4.46 trillion) by 2030.
“We need to prepare for this once-in-a-generation opportunity and be ready to seize these opportunities as they arise,” Wong said.
He believes the state’s latest efforts will help the ecosystem move up the IC design value chain.
There are currently 25 active IC design companies in Malaysia, of which 21 are in Penang.
“Penang has a strong base for IC design with a headcount of over 7,000 engineers and these initiatives will allow it to continue to grow.
“The semiconductor industry here has experienced significant growth over the last few years, driven by substantial investments.
“This reinforces Penang as the Silicon Valley of the East,” Wong said.
On related matters, Chow said Penang had adequate land and infrastructural capabilities to accommodate industrial growth for the next 10 years at least.
He pointed to the Bandar Cassia Technology Park, Batu Kawan Industrial Park 3 and Penang Science Park South with over 323ha combined, as sufficient for projected demand.
There are other private-sector initiatives such as one in Bertam that will provide 323ha of space.
For the longer term, there is also the state’s Silicon Island project with 283ha.
“Unless we see a triple or quadruple surge in investment within the next few years, the state does not foresee any shortage of industrial land.
“We’re in a much better position now,” he said.
Chow also highlighted that Tenaga Nasional Bhd’s (TNB) cross-channel monopole transmission project would boost the energy grid by a further 2,000MW.
“At present, Penang’s domestic consumers and industry are consuming just below half of TNB’s overall capacity,” he said.
Chow also gave updates on the water situation and expansion of the Penang International Airport’s terminal and cargo facilities.
