By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, May 19: Sarawak has completed Phase 1 of its Semiconductor Roadmap 2030 and is now moving into Phase 2 of its technological vision, following efforts to commercialise its chips for products in global markets.
Chief Executive Officer of SMD Semiconductor Sdn Bhd (SMD), Shariman Jamil, pointed out that one of the key foundations in the roadmap is talent development.
He said when SMD Semiconductor started its operation, one of the key activities that the government-linked company was looking at was local talent development from tertiary institutions to the existing workforce.
“So we ran this training, a very specific training program called the Mastery Semiconductor Program, for six months. To date, we have produced more than 50 chip design engineers.
“And when they completed these courses, their minimum salary was RM5,000. So this is where we want young graduates and Sarawakians to be involved—in high-value business activities so that they can earn more,” said Shariman at a press conference following the formalisation of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SMD Semiconductor Sdn Bhd, Photovoltaic Foundry Pte Ltd and Jiangsu Linyang Energy Co Ltd. held on the sidelines of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly here today.
He said that talent development was among the initiatives they had already undertaken and would continue to pursue.
Citing the recent trip of Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg and SMD chairman Dato Sri Wan Lizozman Wan Omar to Bristol to launch a PhD sponsorship programme for Sarawakians, Shariman stressed SMD Semiconductor’s commitment to nurturing local talent by sending young Sarawakians to universities in Bristol to pursue doctoral studies in semiconductors, AI, and other high-tech fields.
“On the commercial part, SMD is now engaging with its commercial partners. This year is our execution year for SMD Semiconductor, and this year we are going to partner with global product players to now embed our chips inside their global products.
“We are moving these two (talent development and commercialisation of Sarawak’s chips) in parallel to answer your questions. We are in Phase 2 of our roadmap. Phase 1 has been done, where we built all these basic foundations.
“Phase 2 is really about commercialising our chips and products and bringing in investors to work with us here in this region. In layman’s terms, we are talking about embedding our chips in power inverters and in solar panels,” said Shariman when asked by the media on the status of the Semiconductor Roadmap 2030, a vision set by SMD in conjunction with the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030.
He said SMD is also focusing on designing the intellectual properties. In terms of fabrication or production of the chips, the company works with local foundry, XFAB, which is based in Samajaya High Tech Park.
On the tripartite MoU, he reiterated the intention of SMD in accelerating the integration of Sarawak-developed semiconductor chips into practical renewable energy and intelligent infrastructure applications.
“Our focus now is to ensure that Sarawak-developed semiconductor technologies can move beyond research and development into practical mass-scale industrial applications that support future energy systems and intelligent infrastructure,” said Shariman. — DayakDaily
