By Ling Hui and Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 9: The newly launched SMD Semiconductor, also known as Sarawak Microelectronics Design, has entered into a Framework Service Agreement (FSA) with Melexis NV (Belgium) to design and manufacture high demand chips in Sarawak.
Witnessing the signing ceremony today, Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that this partnership between the Sarawak government and Melexis could not be more timely, given the standout outlook of the global semiconductor market and industry in years to come.
“It signifies our commitment to sustainable global partnership in semiconductor and chip design which will continue to be an important industry that will transform and push Sarawak toward a sustainable environment and higher-value economy.
“Sarawak shall create an ideal ecosystem to position herself as a primary destination for the semiconductor industry and solutions provider for semiconductor technology,” he said when launching SMD Semiconductor at Tegas Digital Village here today.
Sarawak, Abang Johari said, will continue developing and modernising the primary sector to increase productivity and support high-value manufacturing activities such as electrical and electronic (E&E) and semiconductors to complement the growth of other sectors such as transport and logistics, financial and legal services, and design and creative services.
Having established a good relationship since 2015, he pointed out that the Sarawak government and Melexis are no stranger to one another, but instead are in an increasingly important relationship due to Melexis’ increased investment in Sarawak and the semiconductor industry’s development in recent years.
He is aware that Melexis, which has been part of the existing XFab chips foundry that produces chips for use in a wide-ranging applications, including automobile, is planning to double its production capacity at the facility in Samajaya Free Industrial Zone by 2025.
“I hope that through our collaboration and partnership, Sarawak will further add value and resources to your expansion plans.
“We can also work together to preserve our environment and explore other opportunities in terms of technology,” he added.
Abang Johari also called on Melexis to partner with technical institutions and universities in Sarawak to shape a new curriculum about semiconductors for undergraduates and postgraduates, as well as industry certifications to enable young graduates to acquire necessary skills to be semiconductor professionals.
“The industry-academia platform can also promote industry-driven research collaboration in areas relevant to the semiconductor industry,” he said.
SMD Semiconductor is a wholly owned entity of the Sarawak government which was incorporated through the Sarawak Research and Development Council (SRDC) under the purview of the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD).
SMD is a boutique fabless chip design house specialising in designing analogue and mixed-signal integrated circuits with a robust partnership model with key industry players.
The FSA was signed between SMD Semiconductor chief executive officer (CEO) Shariman Jamil and Melexis NV (Belgium) CEO Marc Biron.
With SMD Semiconductor operating from premises in Samajaya, Shariman also signed a Tenancy Agreement with Tegas represented by its chairman, who is also Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development, Datu Len Talif Salleh.
Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Deputy Minister of Talent Development Datuk Francis Harden Hollis and former Minister for Education, Science and Technological Research Datuk Amar Michael Manyin Jawong were among those present. — DayakDaily
