KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 3 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim welcomed the continued support shown by German chip maker Infineon Technologies AG that he said reflects Malaysia’s important position in the global semiconductor supply chain.
“It complements the National Investment Aspiration (NIA) and the New Industrial Master Plan which is to attract high-tech and high-value investment to support the global and domestic economy,” he said in a statement tonight.
Anwar was commenting on Infineon’s latest plan to build a factory in Kulim, Kedah to produce the world’s largest 200mm Power Fab SiC (silicon carbide).
He also hailed the company’s additional investment of €5 billion (RM24.9 billion) over the next five years in the second phase of its module three construction.
Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said the announcement is in line with the idea of a civil economy that aims to make Malaysia an economic leader in Asia and ranked among the 30 largest economies in the world.
“I welcome the investment announcement from Infineon which has proven their faith in Malaysia.
“This announcement is an extension of my discussion with Infineon Technologies AG chief operating officer Dr Rutger Wijburg on July 24,” he said.
Over the past five decades, Anwar pointed out that Infineon has made Malaysia an important hub in wafer fabrication in Kulim in Kedah and carried out chip semiconductor packaging activities in Batu Berendam in Melaka.
He said Infineon’s continued confidence in Malaysia’s investment ecosystem reflects the country’s important position in the global semiconductor supply chain.
Infineon is Germany’s largest semiconductor manufacturer and is one of the ten largest semiconductor manufacturers in the world.
The company has been operating in Malaysia for 50 years, since 1973.
