Kuala lumpur: Malaysia’s semiconductor industry is poised to benefit from the upcoming 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), as the government seeks to strengthen the country’s role in the global supply chain. UniKL Business School economic analyst Associate Professor Dr. Aimi Zulhazmi Abdul Rashid stated that the five-year plan comes at a pivotal time, amid shifting global trade patterns driven by geopolitical tensions and protectionist measures such as the United States’ tariff policies.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Aimi Zulhazmi emphasized that the semiconductor industry, which is the largest contributor within the manufacturing sector, is expected to spearhead Malaysia’s climb up the global value chain. He noted that in light of current US tariff headwinds, it is critical to position Malaysian manufacturers as key global players. Aimi Zulhazmi highlighted the need for the 13MP to outline clear strategies to advance Malaysia as a producer of high-end chips for artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced electronics. Furthermore, he stated that the plan must align with the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030, which targets a six percent growth in manufacturing’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP), particularly through exports.
In addition, economist Dr. Nungsari Ahmad Radhi discussed the importance of the 13MP in enhancing national competitiveness by improving the productivity of both firms and workers. He explained that productivity involves adopting newer, more efficient technologies. Nungsari expressed that if more local firms become globally competitive, higher-paying jobs will follow. He also stressed the significance of prioritizing education in development spending to improve the quality of teaching and learning environments, thereby uplifting school standards.
Nungsari suggested transforming more universities into research centers that generate intellectual property in strategic fields such as semiconductors, AI, and robotics. Given the limited fiscal space for development expenditure, he argued that the 13MP must focus on fundamentals. Public funds should go towards public goods like education, while the government can offer fiscal incentives to encourage private sector investment in digitalization, ESG (environmental, social, and governance), and renewable energy.
The 13MP is scheduled to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on July 31 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.