Sarawak explores semiconductor collaboration with CREST to boost industry, talent

KUCHING (Feb 8): The Sarawak Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment (Mintred) and Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science and Technology (CREST) are exploring strategic collaboration, value chain migration and talent development to strengthen Malaysia’s semiconductor sector.

The discussions followed a courtesy call by a CREST delegation on deputy minister of Mintred Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh recently.

Among the delegates were representatives from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), underscoring the importance of coordinated federal–state collaboration in advancing the country’s semiconductor agenda.

The visit was facilitated by InvestSarawak and led by its chief executive officer Timothy Ong, as part of ongoing efforts to align Sarawak’s industrial development with national priorities, said Mintred and InvestSarawak in a joint statement on Friday.

Led by CREST chief executive officer Jaffri Ibrahim, the delegation included CREST board director cum Clarion Group chairman Tan Teong Khin, executive officer Datuk Seri Jebasingam Issace John and former board director Ang Hee Lai.

The participation of Clarion Group, a long-established Malaysian industrial player with deep roots in advanced manufacturing, underscored the industry-led nature of the engagement and the practical focus on value chain integration and industrial execution.

Discussions focused on aligning Sarawak’s industrial growth trajectory with Malaysia’s broader technology and semiconductor ecosystem, particularly through strategies to migrate selected segments of the value chain into higher-value, technology-intensive manufacturing activities.

The engagement also explored opportunities to establish a strategic bridge between Penang’s mature semiconductor cluster and Sarawak’s emerging industrial base.

According to Mussen, such collaboration could strengthen national supply-chain resilience while supporting more balanced regional development.

“With clear policy direction, a strong commitment to industrial upgrading, and a focus on sustainability, Sarawak has the potential to complement Penang’s established ecosystem and contribute meaningfully to Malaysia’s semiconductor value chain,” he said.

Human capital development emerged as a key theme, with emphasis placed on building a strong, industry-ready talent pipeline in Sarawak.

Both parties explored structured, industry-led approaches to skills development aimed at equipping Sarawakians with advanced capabilities in areas such as integrated circuit (IC) design, advanced manufacturing, and high-technology processes.

These initiatives are aligned with the Sarawak Semiconductor Roadmap 2030 and the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.

“As the secretariat to Malaysia’s National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS), CREST plays a pivotal role in facilitating collaboration between multinational corporations, local enterprises and academia,” the statement said.

The engagement marks an important step in aligning Sarawak’s development ambitions with the national electrical and electronics and semiconductor ecosystem, leveraging CREST’s mandate to translate industry needs into actionable programmes that support long-term economic resilience.

CREST is a strategic, industry-driven organisation established to strengthen Malaysia’s semiconductor and advanced technology ecosystem through collaborative research, talent development and industry-led innovation.