May. 25, 2023 /SemiMedia/ -- Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid recently stated that Malaysia should cooperate with Southeast Asian countries to develop semiconductors, with the goal of increasing the country's share of the global semiconductor industry to 15% by 2030.

He pointed out that Malaysia is the seventh largest semiconductor exporter in the world and a major country in semiconductor assembly, testing and packaging. It currently accounts for 13% of the global market. Malaysia should cooperate rather than compete with Southeast Asian countries in the semiconductor field so that it can effectively attract investment from multinational companies.

Recently, Malaysia established a special committee and provided tax rebates and incentives to semiconductor companies. "We not only provide semiconductor infrastructure, but also provide training for employees," Ahmad Zahid said.

Penang is the center of semiconductor industry in Malaysia. Ahmad Zahid said that the federal government has been discussing to extend the "Silicon Valley" project on Penang Island to Seberang Perai.