Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia should start thinking about creating synergy between the state government, private sector, and technology, which would allow for much more technology acquisition into the government system, says Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong. He said the semiconductor industry is one area the government focuses on.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Liew expressed a desire to see Malaysia evolve beyond its current role in outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT). “We want Malaysia to move up in the supply chain and become, at the least, an indispensable middle party,” he stated during a panel session at the ASEAN Workshop on Sustainable Development (AWSD) 2025 at Sunway University.
Liew emphasized that while Malaysia might not match the technological prowess of countries like the United States, China, Japan, Korea, or Taiwan, it aims to carve out a significant niche below these global giants. He advocated for the creation of more intellectual properties (IPs) and the development of Malaysian-made technology, highlighting the necessity of a robust industrial policy over neoliberal market approaches.
Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, a distinguished fellow at the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network Asia Headquarters, shared insights on the challenges Malaysia faces in achieving its MADANI objective. He pointed out that Malaysia is currently ranked 36th among the world’s largest economies, with a goal to break into the top 30 within a decade.
Mustapa suggested that achieving a growth rate exceeding 5.0 percent is essential for reaching this target. He stressed the importance of both large-scale economic strategies and addressing everyday issues that impact citizens’ lives. “Ensuring a budget surplus annually should remain a key focus,” he added.
He also highlighted recent issues in medical insurance as indicative of the need for inclusive and sustainable policies. Mustapa underscored that economic management must balance big-picture goals with addressing the cost of living and ensuring all societal levels benefit from economic growth. He concluded by emphasizing the importance of not overlooking smaller, day-to-day issues in the pursuit of broader economic objectives.