By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Sept 15: Sarawak must become a player in the semiconductor industry rather than remain merely a consumer of technologies developed elsewhere, with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg envisaging a future where chips designed by Sarawakians power satellites operating in low Earth orbit.
He said the State’s semiconductor ambitions should extend beyond manufacturing into chip design, intellectual property and the development of locally owned technologies that could serve high-value sectors including artificial intelligence, aerospace and satellite technology.
“When you want to move forward, you must be able to dream. And our dream is to have our own chip design created by anak Sarawak and used by the world,” he said when officiating the Sarawak Semiconductor Flagship Talent Development Ecosystem ceremony at CENTEXS Santubong here today.
He said Sarawak was already exploring the development of its own Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite, targeted for launch by 2030, which would provide new data on Sarawak to support policymaking and economic activities.
“I am sure you are able to realise that dream; that one day you have a satellite around the low orbit using Sarawak chip,” he said.
He said developing the necessary talent and technology would be critical to achieving this ambition, as semiconductor capabilities could serve as a foundation for other strategic and high-value industries.
“These capabilities will support Sarawak’s ambitions in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, power electronics, aerospace, satellite technologies and many other high-value sectors shaping the future global economy,” he said.
Abang Johari said Malaysia had traditionally been stronger in the back-end segment of the semiconductor industry, citing Penang’s chip-related manufacturing activities, but the country now needed to move further upstream.
“Now we must go to the front end, meaning owning the technology, design and chip,” he said.
He said the transition from conventional transistor and circuit technology to sophisticated microchips had opened opportunities for Sarawak to develop capabilities in emerging areas.
Abang Johari also revealed that a chip designed elsewhere has potential to be fabricated in Sarawak under the State’s low-carbon industrial cluster for use in a highly sophisticated machine intended for a Mars mission.
He said the technology involved using the chip to split light, with part of the light becoming a source of energy for the spacecraft.
The project would require about 500 engineers, he said, underscoring the opportunities available to Sarawakian engineers as the State develops its semiconductor ecosystem.
“The same applies to the new generation of chip in WD and X-FAB. To my sons and daughters, engineers, opportunities are there and your future is bright. But let us grasp the basic technology,” he said.
Abang Johari said Sarawak also possessed raw materials that could potentially be used to produce advanced “super magnets”, including components relevant to GPU technology.
However, he said the State would first need to develop a strong pool of local talent before pursuing such advanced capabilities.
“Let’s not go into that first. We reserve it until we have a pool of local talents to develop the magnet which is used in GPU,” he said.
He said advances in GPU technology could eventually transform data storage and computing, potentially changing the role and technology of conventional data centres.
Abang Johari said Sarawak therefore needed to prepare early for these technological shifts by investing in talent, research and development and local technology ownership.
He said the ultimate objective was to ensure Sarawak was not simply participating in global technological developments, but helping to create them.
“Those who create technology shape the future, while those who merely consume it will always remain dependent on others,” he said.
The event also witnessed SMD Semiconductor formalising strategic collaborations with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) to establish a SMD Industrial Lab in the university as well as with and ZETRO to advance aerospace-related semiconductor technologies, including radar electronic systems and associated power modules. — DayakDaily
