Selangor: The Malaysia Semiconductor IC Design Park, in collaboration with the semiconductor company Arm, today kicked off its engagement session with over 20 local companies in its effort to shift Malaysia towards front-end integrated circuit (IC) microchip design. Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation chief executive officer Yong Kai Ping stated that this initiative is a key part of Malaysia’s national strategy under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, which positions the electrical and electronics sector as vital for future economic growth.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the engagement aims to build a vibrant semiconductor ecosystem in Malaysia, empowering local innovators through access to cutting-edge technology platforms and global best practices. The Malaysia-Arm Partnership: Industry Briefing and Engagement Session represents a significant step following the landmark partnership between Malaysia and Arm, first announced on March 5, 2025. The event brought together policymakers, global industry leaders, and local semiconductor stakeholders for strategic discussions and knowledge sharing. The engagement session will also be extended to Penang and other states on a monthly basis.
A statement from the event details the application process and qualifying criteria for companies wishing to participate in the high-impact initiative, ensuring industry players are well-informed on how to engage and benefit from the programme. Highlights include Arm’s flexible access (AFA) programme and compute subsystem (CSS) solutions, which offer Malaysian IC design companies the opportunity to leverage Arm’s high-performing intellectual property. This encompasses central processing units, graphics processing units, neural processing units, and advanced system interconnects.
The statement further explains that Arm’s focus on common software standards and customizable hardware architectures provides Malaysian companies with a trusted platform for innovation in the fast-evolving global semiconductor industry. James Chai, Economy Ministry special officer (policy), noted that Malaysian companies are well-positioned to qualify for the AFA programme, which is designed for exploration or prototyping with Arm’s IP before full licensing commitments. The programme operates on a subscription model with lower initial costs and royalties upon production. Conversely, CSS solutions involve higher initial licensing fees due to the near turn-key system and increased engineering and support investment from Arm.
The Malaysia Semiconductor IC Design Park, located in Selangor, is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, aiming to drive national growth in semiconductor innovation. It integrates anchor companies, startups, research institutions, and talent development programmes to accelerate Malaysia’s leadership in IC design and advanced packaging. More information about the park is available on its website at https://www.myicpark.com/.