Sarawak introduced the first local GaN power chip

KUCHING, 5 Oct: Sarawak today introduced keteq.GaN, the first locally designed Gallium Nitride (GaN) power semiconductor chip for the 9th Sarawak International Digital Economy Conference (IDECS) 2026.

According to SMD Semiconductor in a statement, the company's developed keteq.GaN power modules are designed for new generation power electronics applications including artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, renewable energy, battery energy storage systems and smart grids.

"The development also marks SMD's transition from building capacity in semiconductor industry to developing and owning high-value technologies as well as intellectual property originating from Sarawak", the statement said.

Meanwhile, SMD Semiconductor Chairman, Dato Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar said that the important thing after the development of keteq.GaN is to ensure that the technology moves beyond the design stage to real applications in industry.

"We want to see the technology developed here move beyond the design stage and get a place in real applications, thus creating value not only for SMDs but also Sarawak semiconductor industry as a whole", he said.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of SMD Semiconductor Shariman Jamil said that the development of keteq.GaN from the very beginning focused on applications requiring better power efficiency and energy management, not just producing semiconductors as a demonstration of technology.

"That's why we're looking at applications like AI power, renewable energy, battery storage, smart grids and solid-state transformers in the future", he explains.

Earlier, the launch of the power module was finalised by Sarawak Premier, His Highness Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the opening ceremony of IDECS 2026 at Borneo Kuching Convention Centre (BCCK).-TVS