Awang Tengah (centre) presents a memento to a South Korean representative during the engagement session.
Link: https://www.theborneopost.com/2026/06/03/sarawak-seeks-stronger-semiconductor-ties-with-south-korea/
Written by Marilyn Ten
KUCHING (June 3): Sarawak is seeking to strengthen cooperation with South Korea’s semiconductor industry as the state advances its ambition to become an emerging regional hub for high-value technology and semiconductor development.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said South Korea is recognised as one of the world’s leading nations in semiconductors, advanced electronics, artificial intelligence and high-technology manufacturing, and its remarkable success in developing globally competitive technology champions serves as an inspiration for emerging regions such as Sarawak.
“As a leading industry association, Korea Semiconductor Industry Association (KSIA) plays a key role in strengthening (South) Korea’s semiconductor ecosystem through industry coordination, talent development and ecosystem development.
“Today’s engagement, therefore, provides a valuable opportunity for Sarawak to deepen its understanding of (South) Korea’s semiconductor landscape and explore potential areas of cooperation,” he said during the Sarawak Semiconductor Engagement Session with KSIA in Seoul on Monday.
Awang Tengah, who is International Trade, Industry and Investment Minister, said Sarawak aspires to move further up the value chain into higher-value and knowledge-intensive segments of the semiconductor industry.
“To support this long-term ambition, the Sarawak government established Sarawak Microelectronics Design (SMD) Semiconductor in 2022 as a strategic state-owned entity to drive the development of the semiconductor industry and strengthen the state’s participation in the global technology value chain.
“As Sarawak’s boutique fabless semiconductor design house specialising in analogue and mixed-signal integrated circuits, SMD Semiconductor plays an important role in advancing technological collaboration, facilitating industry partnerships, supporting talent development, and accelerating innovation-driven industrial growth in Sarawak,” he said.
He said that Sarawak is particularly focused on strengthening semiconductor capabilities in strategic growth areas, including power management technologies such as power inverters and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS); artificial intelligence infrastructure and advanced computing, including neural processing unit (NPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU) technologies for artificial intelligence (AI) data centres; and satellite and space-related technologies, including opportunities in the low-earth orbit satellite ecosystem.
He added that the state is also exploring the development of a sovereign AI ecosystem and advanced digital infrastructure to support future economic growth, data-driven governance and high-value technology investments.
Awang Tengah noted that South Korean companies have already established a presence in Sarawak, particularly in advanced materials, manufacturing and technology-related industries.
“Through these developments, Sarawak has become one of the major producers of polysilicon, an important material in the global electronics and semiconductor supply chain.
“These foundations position Sarawak among the emerging regions capable of supporting a more integrated and sustainable semiconductor and technology ecosystem across Southeast Asia,” he said.
Moving forward, he expressed hope that the engagement would mark the beginning of a stronger long-term strategic relationship between Sarawak and KSIA, particularly in advancing collaboration in semiconductor and advanced technology sectors.
During the session, Awang Tengah also met with InterVest Co Ltd, one of South Korea’s leading venture capital firms, to explore investment opportunities in Sarawak’s semiconductor ecosystem. The meeting also included discussions with InterVest’s portfolio companies, Mobilint and Soteria.
He later met with another group of investors to discuss the potential for establishing an electric vehicle (EV) supply chain business in Sarawak.
Also present were Deputy International Trade, Industry and Investment Minister Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment advisor Dato Sri Naroden Majais, and SMD Semiconductor chief executive officer Shariman Jamil.
