Government, Banking and Industry Unite to Advance Melaka’s Semiconductor Future 

Government, Banking and Industry Unite to Advance Melaka’s Semiconductor Future 

Industry leaders, policymakers and ecosystem partners gather to discuss Melaka’s  semiconductor ambitions, strengthen industry collaboration and accelerate sustainable  growth within Malaysia’s semiconductor ecosystem. 

Highlights: 

● Brought together almost 150 participants comprising industry leaders, policymakers,  government agencies, financial institutions and ecosystem partners. 

● Reinforced Melaka’s commitment to becoming a future-ready semiconductor hub. ● Highlighted the strategic direction of the Melaka Semiconductor Strategic Plan 2026- 2035 in strengthening the state’s semiconductor ecosystem and long-term  competitiveness. 

Melaka, 16 July 2026 – The Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA), in  collaboration with Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Invest Melaka  Berhad, Infineon Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. and Maybank, jointly hosted the  MSIA Dialogue & Networking Session with the Chief Minister of Melaka on 16 July 2026  at Hatten Hotel, Melaka.  

Anchored on the theme “Transforming Melaka into a Future-Ready Semiconductor and  Advanced Manufacturing Hub: Driving Talent, Sustainability and Industrial  Excellence“, the programme facilitated constructive dialogue between the public and  private sectors to discuss the state’s semiconductor ecosystem, industry competitiveness  and opportunities arising from the continued growth of the industry. With a semiconductor  heritage spanning more than five decades, Melaka continues to build on its established  industrial foundation. 

Supporting this direction, the ongoing Melaka Semiconductor Strategic Plan 2026–2035  complements Malaysia’s National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS), with discussions  focused on strengthening industry capabilities, enhancing supply chain resilience and  supporting high-value investments to position Melaka as one of Malaysia’s leading  semiconductor and advanced manufacturing hubs.  

The programme also featured remarks by YAB Datuk Seri Utama Ab Rauf Bin Yusoh,  Chief Minister of Melaka, who shared his vision for Melaka’s industrial transformation,  highlighting the state’s semiconductor journey and the importance of strengthening  investment, industry and TVET development to support the next phase of growth. 

Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA, stated,  “Melaka has come a long way in building its semiconductor industry; today, it has the industrial base, skilled workforce and supplier network needed to compete for the next  generation of high-value investments. The electrical and electronics (E&E) industry  continues to be a key driver of Malaysia’s investment landscape, attracting RM6.0 billion in  approved investments in the first quarter of 2026, the highest among all manufacturing  industries. With its established ecosystem and strategic location, Melaka is well placed to  capture a greater share of these opportunities. The next phase of growth requires close  collaboration between government, industry and the financial sector to deepen supply  chains, accelerate technology adoption and help Malaysian companies move up the value  chain. 

At MIDA, we are committed to facilitating quality investments that build industrial capabilities,  drive innovation, and create quality jobs for Malaysians. The New Incentive Framework (NIF)  supports these efforts by encouraging investments to develop local talent, strengthen  Malaysian businesses and deliver long-term value to the people of Melaka.” 

Datuk Ginie Lim Siew Lin, Chief Executive Officer of Invest Melaka Berhad, said “Our  continuous engagement with industry players gives us valuable insights into how investment  decisions are evolving and what companies require to grow successfully. Melaka’s  semiconductor strength is built on decades of industrial presence and investor confidence,  and our focus is to build on this foundation by connecting emerging opportunities with the  right capabilities and partnerships. Through this approach, we aim to strengthen Melaka’s  position as a preferred location for the next phase of semiconductor growth.” 

Dato’ Seri Wong Siew Hai, President of the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry  Association (MSIA), commented, “Malaysia’s future competitiveness will not be determined  by manufacturing capacity alone, but by the strength of our semiconductor ecosystem. As  we move from ‘Made in Malaysia’ to ‘Made by Malaysia’, every state has a role to play.  Melaka has already built a strong foundation and is well positioned to become a key driver  of advanced technologies, talent development and innovation that will strengthen Malaysia’s  global semiconductor leadership.” 

Ranita Abdullah, Managing Director, New Economy & Group Global Banking  Sustainability, Maybank, said, “Maybank is committed to supporting Melaka’s aspirations  to attract quality domestic and foreign investments into advanced and high-tech industries,  while strengthening the ecosystem of multinational corporations and local SMEs as supply  chains evolve and businesses enhance operational resilience. We are equally keen to  support the state’s sustainability aspirations and Smart City digital transformation agenda, in  line with Maybank’s ROAR30 strategy to mobilise RM300 billion in sustainable finance and  RM100 billion for the New Economy across ASEAN.” 

The MSIA dialogue featured a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Datuk Ginie Lim,  Chief Executive Officer of Invest Melaka Berhad, which integrated crucial perspectives from 

the industry, government, and financial sectors. Mr. Tay Kheng Chiong, Group Managing  Director & CEO of Dominant Opto Technologies Sdn. Bhd., shared insights on the growth  journey of Malaysian semiconductor SMEs, emphasising the need to strengthen capabilities  and meet global customer expectations. Highlighting ecosystem development, Mr. Derrick  Tanggapan, Director of MIDA Melaka, outlined how local SMEs can capture higher-value  opportunities through strategic investments and partnerships. To enable this growth, Mr.  Zulfadhli Bin Marjo, Head of Islamic Transaction Banking Solutions & Innovation at Maybank  Islamic Berhad, discussed tailored financing and capital solutions aimed at supporting SMEs  as they scale operations through technology, automation, and talent development. 

The event successfully brought together almost 150 key industry leaders, policymakers,  government agencies, financial institutions, and ecosystem partners, reinforcing the state’s  commitment to becoming a future-ready semiconductor hub. 

***End*** 

About Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)
MIDA is the government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 20 overseas offices. MIDA partners with investors at every stage of their journey, supporting sustainable growth and long-term value creation for Malaysia. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow MIDA on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Name: Mr. Derrick Tanggapan
Designation: Director, MIDA Melaka
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
Tel: +606-232 2878

About Invest Melaka Berhad
Invest Melaka Berhad is the state’s dedicated investment promotion agency responsible for attracting and facilitating both foreign and domestic investments into Melaka. Serving as a one-stop centre for investors, Invest Melaka works closely with government agencies and industry stakeholders to support companies throughout their investment journey from initial enquiries and project facilitation to implementation.

The agency also assists with regulatory processes including manufacturing licence applications, facilitates engagement with relevant authorities, and supports site selection within the state’s industrial zones.
Learn more at: www.investmelaka.gov.my

For further information, please contact:
Andy Wong | Assistant Manager (Investment Promotion)
+6011 5505 3312 | [email protected]

About Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA)
Malaysian Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA) is the leading voice of Malaysia’s semiconductor and electronics industry, representing a dynamic ecosystem of 370 members whose parent companies are from more than 22 countries worldwide. Membership comprises companies incorporated in Malaysia who are involved in the semiconductors and electronics systems, spanning the full value chain from IC and system design, to assembly, test and system manufacturing.

MSIA serves as a unified platform that connects industry, government, and academia, ensuring that the critical needs and insights of the sector are effectively channelled to policymakers while nurturing a competitive and sustainable semiconductor ecosystem. Through strategic partnerships and engagement with both local and international stakeholders, MSIA plays a pivotal role in fostering industry collaboration, enhancing ecosystem resilience, and promoting Malaysia as a strategic destination for global semiconductor investment and growth.
For more information, visit:

Website: www.msia.org.my
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@my_E-E_industry_association
LinkedIn: MSIA LinkedIn Official

About Infineon Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
Infineon Technologies Malaysia is one of the country’s leading semiconductor manufacturers and a key contributor to Malaysia’s electrical and electronics industry, driving innovation in automotive, industrial, power semiconductor and energy-efficient technologies while powering the next generation of AI-enabled solutions through advanced semiconductor technologies.

About Maybank
Maybank is among Asia’s leading financial group and Southeast Asia’s fourth largest bank by assets, with a significant global workforce and an extensive network spanning ASEAN and key international financial centres.

Learn more at: https://www.maybank.com/en/about-us.page

For further information, please contact:
Noelle Lim | Head Of Communications, Group Global Banking, Maybank
+65 92334794 | [email protected]