Sarawak secures RM1.9 bln investment in semiconductor-grade polysilicon

KUCHING (Dec 1): Private investment worth RM1.9 billion has been approved in 2025 for Sarawak’s polycrystalline silicon industry to support its diversification into semiconductor-grade polysilicon.

Delivering the winding up for his ministry during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here on Monday, Deputy Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh said the transition from upstream to downstream activities represents a natural and strategic progression towards a more diversified and competitive industrial base.

“The Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) strategy has been instrumental in unlocking Sarawak’s stable, cost-effective and environmentally responsible renewable energy through large-scale hydropower assets and a reliable grid system.

“This has attracted strategic upstream industries such as polycrystalline silicon, aluminium and ferroalloys,” he said.

He added that as these upstream industries mature, multinational corporations are now shifting towards higher-value downstream activities.

“This includes deeper integration into the solar and semiconductor value chains, as well as downstream processing such as specialised alloys and value-added metallurgical applications,” he said.

Looking ahead, Mussen said Sarawak’s efforts will focus on accelerating further downstream development to unlock greater economic value from locally produced materials, reduce the export of raw intermediates and stimulate new growth opportunities for local small-and-medium enterprises.