AS competition in the artificial intelligence (AI) chip market heats up among semiconductor giants such as Nvidia Corp, Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD) and Intel Corp, one company stands to gain regardless of who the winner of the chip battle is — Micron Technology Inc.

Positioned as a critical supplier of memory and storage solutions, American chip giant Micron benefits from the industry-wide demand for the high-performance components essential to AI systems.

Amarjit Singh Sandhu, corporate vice-president of assembly and test NAND operations for Micron (Singapore and Malaysia), says devices such as smartphones and laptops need different types of semiconductors to build a system.

“Imagine this: You need a set of eyes and a set of ears, you need a brain, and you need to signal where the information needs to go. Your smartphone receives and interacts with various signals, from the global positioning system (GPS), Bluetooth, WiFi to near-field communication (NFC),” Amarjit tells The Edge.

“For these signals to come into your phone, you need to have chips that can receive and convert them from analogue to digital. So, different semiconductor giants will build different specialised chips.”

He adds that the “brain” tells the signal to be stored at a certain location. When that signal is stored, Micron’s product comes into play. The “brain” is what Intel, AMD and Nvidia build, whereas Micron makes memory and storage chips.

“Micron is not competing with them. Instead, we are complementing each other because any ‘brain’ would need temporary memory and storage. Obviously, Nvidia has been commanding the lion’s share, while AMD and Intel are playing catch-up.

“All of us have our own set of challenges, but the way I see it, Micron could complement all of them. In other words, no matter who wins, we win as well. After all, they need memory, and they need storage,” he says.

US$2 bil invested in Penang

In November 2018, Micron announced a US$1 billion greenfield investment plan over a span of 10 years for its new Centre of Excellence (CoE) for solid-state drive (SSD) assembly and testing in Batu Kawan Industrial Park, Penang.

In the fourth quarter of 2022, the company announced a brownfield investment of US$1 billion for its second factory at the Batu Kawan site, which was officially opened in October 2023.

“Our total built-up of 1.5 million sq ft [combining the first and second factories] is almost fully occupied to support our future growth. Simply put, we are operating at an optimal level,” says Amarjit.

He observes that the large-scale cloud service providers, also known as hyperscalers, are building up huge data centres primarily to support the AI drive.

“Obviously, AI is very much the buzzword of today. I have been listening to the earnings calls of these hyperscalers recently, and I think all of them will continue to invest not just in Malaysia but also many parts of the world.”

He says these investment plans suggest that AI is “very hungry” for data centres, which will lead to a significant increase in workloads. However, the current infrastructure falls short of what is required.

“Looking at the amount of money that has been pumped in and is going to be pumped in, I think the data centre and AI boom is going to go on for a while,” he says.

Amarjit acknowledges that because Micron is a multinational corporation (MNC), Micron Malaysia lacks visibility of where its end-customers are.

“We make the products and sell them, but we do not know where they will end up. But the fact is that the trend of building more data centres everywhere is not a nice-to-have; it is a must-have. The UK, Germany and Spain are supporting more data centres.

“So, it is more important for Micron to look at this trend globally. With the data centre and AI boom, the world would need more memory and storage chips, including high-bandwidth memory (HBM). We are here to support the AI growth, whether or not the data centres will be built in Malaysia,” he stresses.

Apart from HBM, Micron could also supply enterprise SSDs and some specific memory modules as well as other memory and storage products to the data centres.

“In Malaysia, we build SSDs, and our Batu Kawan site is a CoE for SSD. So, we should benefit from the data centre boom,” Amarjit says.

Asked about the possible impact of the Malaysian government’s review of tax incentives for data centres, Amarjit reiterates that although Micron builds its products in Malaysia, they are sold to hyperscalers worldwide.

He says: “We welcome data centre investments in Malaysia, as we will benefit from the AI growth. But even if these investments do go elsewhere, we will still continue to benefit because these data centres have to be built in other countries, if not Malaysia.”

Notably, Nikkei Asia had in June reported that Micron was considering building HBM in Malaysia to capture the AI boom. Amarjit says: “I think Micron will make our announcement accordingly, but this [news] is definitely not announced by Micron. So, we’ll avoid commenting on this information.”

Nevertheless, he points out that HBM is not the only product that supports AI.

“Today, Micron produces all of our HBM in Taiwan. As the need and demand grow, we will review and decide where else our HBM operations need to go. That’s the situation. We have not made any decision.

“One thing is for sure: We have a good range of memory modules to support the AI market. Micron is well-positioned to capture these opportunities.”

‘The best is yet to come’

Amarjit likens AI to the advent of the internet, recalling that when it emerged in the late 20th century, there were doubts about its potential to change the world. Today, the world stands at a similar juncture, with AI poised to play that transformative role. “It’s a long runway and that’s why we keep saying that, for memory companies like us, the best is yet to come because AI will drive a new cycle.

“Whatever we have been supplying in the past — whether for phones, laptops, PCs and everything for industry, for data centres — will still be there. But this is probably a brand-new era for us to cater for the needs and wants of the industry.”

Amarjit believes AI is where Micron positions itself with new products to support, and it will be the group’s new revenue stream in the coming years. “We are probably in a good place, where our business of the past is still there and we have AI as the next big thing.”

Like other global chipmakers, Micron has been navigating the geopolitical tensions between the US and China for the past eight years. In addition, the Covid-19 pandemic has further strained the overall supply chain.

Amarjit says Micron has positioned its manufacturing in different geographical locations to mitigate shocks.

“So far, it has worked well for us. We did not miss any customer demand during Covid. I would probably say this tension is going to be here to stay. For most industries, I think it’s a new normal and we will have to adjust to it.”

Fortunately, he adds, Malaysia has been very friendly to most countries, and that is very helpful for companies such as Micron.

“On the ground, we don’t feel any negative impact from the trade war because the government has set up an environment that is very business-friendly.”

Bridging the talent gap

Micron started its first facility in Penang in 2019. Today, with two facilities, the group employs about 5,000 people, including operators, technicians, engineers and research and development (R&D) staff.

“On average, we hired 1,000 people every year over the past five years. At this point in time, our workforce of 5,000 is quite sufficient to meet the needs of our two facilities. But we will continue to hire good talents [as the need arises],” says Amarjit, adding that the group has relatively different hiring strategies compared with other companies.

For the hiring of operators, Micron engages with technical and vocational education and training (TVET) schemes, government agencies and industry institutions. For the hiring of technicians, the group engages with the polytechnics.

“The biggest challenge is always engineers. Like many companies, we also engage with universities to attract human talent. At the same time, we also work on the non-traditional fronts. For instance, we are trying to encourage women engineers,” he says.

Micron is a founding member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) in Malaysia. The group is working with industry partners to get more women interested in engineering.

“Hopefully, through SWE, the experienced lady engineers will come together to encourage and excite the younger girls about engineering as well as provide them with mentorships.

“Meanwhile, we are also trying to get women, who had taken one or two years off from their working life for family reasons or because of personal challenges, to return to the workforce. All these efforts can help bridge the talent gap,” says Amarjit.

Another non-traditional path that Micron is taking is that it is the first company in Malaysia to engage a uniformed group, specifically military veterans.

“We have given talks to 500 former military folk and recently hired 25. We are trying to get more of them on board; we are identifying suitable job positions for them so that they can fit into our organisation.

“For example, some veterans from the Air Force dealt with aircraft. So, if we give them six months of training, they could be good technicians or supervisors. Overall, Micron has a fair representation with respect to gender, race and ethnicity,” Amarjit says. 

Source: The Edge Malaysia

Micron stands to gain amid AI chip battle

The construction of a spent catalyst recycling facility at the Gebeng Industrial Park here marks a significant step in managing metal-based scheduled waste.

State investment, industries, science, technology, and innovation committee chairman Datuk Mohamad Nizar Najib said that the facility, spearheaded by Taiyo Koko Co., Ltd., would be the first of its kind in Southeast Asia.

“This land in Gebeng will soon be transformed into a state-of-the-art metal recovery centre. The project, owned by Taiyo Koko, has Toyo Engineering and Construction Sdn Bhd appointed as the main contractor,” he said.

Once operational in 2027, the facility will treat spent catalysts — waste produced from the cracking of petroleum at oil refineries in Pengerang, Johor.

These materials will be recycled and exported to Japan for reuse in the petrochemical and steel industries.

“Twelve years in the spent catalysts recycling industry, Taiyo Koko has commercialised proprietary technology for recovering rare metals from spent catalysts for about 50 years,” he said at a press conference after the ground breaking ceremony here today.

Also present was Taiyo Koko Co., Ltd. president Kazufumi Suzuki.

Nizar said that the facility would open new doors for job creation, economic growth, and the recruitment of fresh talents from across Pahang.

“Foreign direct investment will create opportunities for local vendors and suppliers to be part of the operations. The Pahang government welcomes Japan’s investment and hopes it will attract more investors from the country to set up plants or businesses here,” he said.

“The recycling of spent catalysts not only promotes sustainability and reduces harmful emissions but also recovers valuable metals for reuse,” he added.

Suzuki described the establishment of the facility in Gebeng as Taiyo Koko’s first overseas expansion, marking a significant milestone in advancing environmental sustainability.

He said that the collaboration reflected Toyo-Malaysia’s commitment to innovation and its vision of contributing to a greener, more sustainable future.

Source: NST

Southeast Asia’s 1st spent catalyst recycling facility to open in Gebeng

Malaysia has urged investors, particularly from China, to explore the vast opportunities in the country’s agri-commodities sector, with crude palm oil identified as a key area for growth.

In a speech at the Malaysia-China Summit 2024 Leadership Conference, Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani highlighted the many potential collaborations between the two nations.

He said that successful partnerships in the palm oil sector would be most effective when founded in Malaysia, where feedstock is plentiful, paired with China’s extensive market network.

Johari outlined three key areas for investment: biomass and biogas energy, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and oleochemical plants in Sabah and Sarawak.

The government is keen to leverage the circular economy concept within the palm oil industry, converting waste into green energy via biomass and biogas.

He noted that mills with a capacity of 60 tonnes per hour could generate between five and seven megawatts (MW) of energy. If all mills in the country adopted biomass and biogas facilities, they could potentially generate around 2,200 MW of energy across over 440 locations.

On SAF, Johari announced plans to make sustainable jet fuel mandatory for all flights to Malaysia by 2027, emphasising the country’s potential as a major player in SAF production due to its abundant feedstock resources, strong biofield industry, and close cooperation with the oil and gas sector.

Additionally, 55 per cent of Malaysia’s palm oil planted area is in Sabah (1.5 million hectares) and Sarawak (1.6 million hectares).

However, there are no oleochemical plants in either state, and Johari welcomed investors to establish such facilities in both locations.

He also encouraged investment in upgrading existing palm oil mills, many of which are outdated.

With around 448 mills in operation as of June 2024, Johari noted that mill owners could collaborate with investors to modernise operations, incorporating technologies like AI to improve efficiency, reduce oil losses, and lessen reliance on labour.

The minister emphasised that Malaysia’s palm oil industry benefits from a well-established ecosystem, including a thriving research and development environment, a robust network of mills and refineries, and a trusted sustainability certification scheme.

By investing close to the source, he assured potential investors of secure feedstock supply.

Looking ahead, Johari stressed the continued potential for collaboration between Malaysia and China in the palm oil sector, particularly in light of global economic uncertainties and rising geopolitical risks.

He highlighted Malaysia’s well-regulated and stable palm oil industry, which offers excellent infrastructure and sustainability guarantees through the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil certification scheme.

Source: NST

Malaysia courts Chinese investment in palm oil

Malaysia’s electric vehicle (EV) industry is accelerating, with over 100,000 electrified vehicles recorded and more than 3,300 charging stations established nationwide to date, positioning the country as a key regional hub for EV innovation.

The government’s commitment aligns with its ambitious Net Zero Goals for 2050, as it strengthens collaboration with China to drive manufacturing, research, and sustainable growth in the automotive sector, said Malaysia Automotive Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) chief operating officer Mohd Sharulnizam Sarip.

Speaking at the Malaysia-China EV Forum, he highlighted the nation’s strategic initiatives to build a robust EV ecosystem via collaboration, including memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with various Chinese organisations focusing on joint ventures in manufacturing, research and development, and technology transfer.

“Such efforts aim to elevate Malaysia’s role in the regional and global EV value chain. The National Automotive Policy (NAP) 2030 remains the cornerstone of Malaysia’s EV agenda, promoting the production of eco-friendly vehicles, battery recycling facilities, and infrastructure development,” he said.

The forum, held in conjunction with the Malaysia-China Summit 2024, from Dec 17-19, was organised by China EV100, a third-party think tank, alongside Qube Integrated Malaysia Sdn Bhd and the Malaysian Chamber of Commerce China.

Mohd Sharulnizam said MARii has outlined plans to develop EV battery recycling capabilities, including hydrometallurgy facilities in Perak, to support sustainable resource management in the growing EV sector.

He noted that China’s involvement in Malaysia’s automotive ecosystem brings advanced technologies and investment into the local market, boosting demand in the electronics and electrical (E&E) sector.

“These initiatives are expected to complement Malaysia’s standing as the world’s sixth-largest semiconductor exporter, further enhancing high-value manufacturing activities such as wafer fabrication and integrated circuit development.

“With growing government support, industry participation, and international collaborations, Malaysia is well on track to becoming a leading EV innovation hub in Southeast Asia,” he said.

He noted that the ongoing partnerships and sustainable practices are expected to foster a cleaner, technology-driven future, benefitting Malaysia and its global partners.

Meanwhile, during a panel session, Proton Holdings Bhd senior director of corporate strategy Yusri Yusuf emphasised the critical need for strong partnerships to ensure the success of EV adoption, highlighting collaboration as key to addressing challenges in areas such as charging applications and upstream component development

“To accelerate the industrialisation of EVs in Malaysia, we need reliable partners for technology, business, and infrastructure,” he said.

Highlighting Proton’s journey in EV development since 2009, Yusri said the company’s long-term commitment to this emerging sector, has positioned it to compete in the growing EV market, driven by supportive government policies and increasing consumer demand.

“Key areas such as technology integration, policy support, and industry expectations were also highlighted as central to driving EV industrialisation,” he added.

Yusri stressed the pivotal role of policies in encouraging EV adoption while meeting consumer expectations through collaborative development efforts.

Proton is committed to building a comprehensive EV ecosystem by partnering with industry players, including charging infrastructure and technology providers, following the launch of its first EV model, the EMAS 7, he added. 

Source: Bernama

Malaysia accelerates EV growth with China collaboration to boost regional hub ambitions

Worldwide Stainless Sdn Bhd has revitalised Malaysia’s stainless steel industry with its US$95 million (RM424.4 million) acquisition of Bahru Stainless Sdn Bhd.

The reopening of this iconic Pasir Gudang facility not only restores operations but positions Malaysia as a key player in the global stainless steel market.

“This acquisition is more than a restart. It’s a transformation,” said CEO Danny Tan. “We are combining innovation, sustainability, and efficiency to create a future-ready plant that meets global standards.”

Worldwide Stainless is implementing a streamlined production process to enhance efficiency and sustainability. This strategy aligns with its goal to make Bahru Stainless a leader in cold-rolled stainless steel manufacturing.

The plant’s annual capacity of 300,000 metric tons will be ramped up gradually, ensuring operational stability and quality consistency.

Tan explained, “This is not just a cosmetic overhaul. We’re investing in workforce upskilling and adopting innovative technologies to secure long-term growth. Bahru Stainless is set to be a global benchmark of excellence.”

The plant has rehired 90% of its retrenched workforce, reinstating skilled professionals with decades of expertise.

This rehiring underscores the company’s commitment to retaining talent and ensuring continuity in operations. Worldwide Stainless is focused on balancing domestic and international market demands.

As Malaysia’s sole producer of cold-rolled stainless steel, the company will support local industries, including construction, automotive, and manufacturing. Globally, it aims to penetrate high-growth markets in Europe, the US, and emerging regions.

“Our dual strategy ensures we contribute to Malaysia’s economy while expanding our footprint internationally,” said Tan. “We’re delivering quality products to meet the demands of diverse industries.”

The company is also diversifying its portfolio to include high-value sectors such as renewable energy, medical equipment, and advanced manufacturing. This strategic move positions Bahru Stainless to address the evolving needs of modern markets while enhancing its competitive edge.

The company is integrating eco-friendly practices into operations while fostering strategic alliances to promote Malaysia’s industrial capabilities on a global stage.

Participation in international trade exhibitions and collaborations with key players are paving the way for Bahru Stainless to become a symbol of reliability and innovation.

“We are committed to elevating Malaysia’s position in the global market,” said Tan. “Through quality, sustainability, and innovation, we aim to set new benchmarks in the stainless steel industry.”

Backed by AmBank Group, which financed 80% of the acquisition, Worldwide Stainless’ leadership team brings decades of expertise to this ambitious venture.

Their vision ensures Bahru Stainless’ resurgence as a symbol of Malaysia’s industrial prowess.

Source: The Sun

Worldwide Stainless revives Bahru Stainless with US$95m acquisition

Ningbo Deye Technology, a Chinese producer of power inverters, has announced plans to invest up to US$150 million (RM668 million) in a new manufacturing base for solar equipment in Malaysia.

In an exchange filing in Shanghai on Monday, the company revealed it will establish a subsidiary in Malaysia to produce solar photovoltaic (PV) equipment and energy storage products, according to a report published in South China Morning Post today.

A power inverter is a critical component of a solar panel system.

“With constant changes in the international situation and trade environment, the necessity of deploying overseas capacity is increasingly urgent,” the company stated.

“Setting up a subsidiary in Malaysia will help the company expand into overseas markets and respond to the potential adverse effects of the macro environment and international trade more flexibly.”

The investment, however, is subject to approvals from both the Chinese and Malaysian governments.

Chinese solar and electric vehicle (EV) companies have been looking to South-east Asia as a strategic hub to expand internationally and navigate trade restrictions imposed by the US and European Union.

These measures aim to protect local industries and curb the influx of lower-cost imports.

However, recent tariffs from Washington have added challenges.

The US imposed anti-dumping duties on solar products imported from four South-east Asian countries — Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

These anti-dumping duties cover solar cells and modules.

For example, Shanghai-based Jinko Solar faced duties of 21.31 per cent for products made in Malaysia and 56.51 per cent for goods from Vietnam.

Jiangsu-based Trina Solar received tariffs of 77.85 per cent for its Thailand-made products and 54.46 per cent for those manufactured in Vietnam.

These tariffs have created further uncertainty for Chinese solar companies, which control over 80 per cent of the global solar panel supply chain but are grappling with a domestic price war exacerbated by weak demand.

Gu Yu, deputy director of the Trade Remedy and Investigation Bureau under China’s Ministry of Commerce, recently addressed these challenges at an annual solar industry conference in Sichuan province.

“Geopolitical conflicts, protectionism, and the efforts of some countries to decouple from China are impacting the operation of global supply chains and trade systems,” Gu said.

He urged solar PV manufacturers to collaborate with local firms in Belt and Road Initiative countries, explore solar power project investments, and increase research and development to enhance global competitiveness.

Source: Malay Mail

Chinese solar giant Deye to invest over RM650m in Malaysia for solar equipment manufacturing

Companies in the manufacturing sector will continue to be exempted from a 80:20 employment requirement ratio until the multi-tier levy mechanism (MTLM) is fully implemented.

The Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI) said this extension provides flexibility for industries to adjust their workforce requirements more flexibly, without compromising the government’s goal of reducing dependence on foreign workers.

The extension was made taking into account various factors and feedback from the industry sector.

Human Resources Minister Steven Sim in response to a parliamentary question in December said, the multi-tier levy mechanism (MTLM) for all sectors, except plantation and agriculture, will be effective Jan 1, 2025.

“MITI will continue to focus on enhancing the skills of local workers as a key step to ensure that the local workforce can compete in an increasingly high-tech global economy.  “This skill enhancement aims to provide more capable workers who can contribute to dignified income and drive sustainable economic growth,” it said in a statement today.

Meanwhile, MITI also noted that it will continue to work with the industry to ensure the manufacturing sector can continue to grow sustainably and contribute to the country’s economic growth.

During the 2025 Budget presentation, the Prime Minister announced that the government would implement MTLM early next year to encourage automation and reduce dependence on foreign workers gradually.

For the manufacturing sector, MTLM will replace the 80:20 policy stipulated in the manufacturing license conditions.

The government also announced that levies collected would be channeled back to the industry.

It will be used to increase the use of technology and automation, improve productivity, reduce dependence on foreign workers, thereby contributing to Malaysia’s increased competitiveness globally.

Source: NST

MITI: Suspension of foreign worker ratio in manufacturing extended until multi-tier levy is enforced

EVE Energy Malaysia Sdn Bhd (EVE), a global lithium battery manufacturer, inaugurated its new manufacturing facility in Padang Meha, Kedah, which will serve customers in the power tool and electric two-wheeler sectors across Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America.

In a joint statement between the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and EVE today, they said that when fully operational, the facility will employ 2,000 Malaysians with a majority in technical field background.

MIDA chief executive officer Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid congratulated the company on its impressive milestone, stating “we extend our congratulations on the significant breakthrough achieved in the construction of the Malaysian factory. In the face of the increasingly severe challenges posed by climate change, energy transition and low-carbon development will be at the core of future industries.”

He said “the Malaysian government places great importance on this issue and is moving forward in partnership with EVE Energy Co Ltd.”

“Together, we are committed to promoting local economic growth and technological innovation while driving Malaysia’s energy transition and sustainable development,” he added.

EVE Energy senior vice president Vincent Wong noted that the Malaysia plant had been completed in just 16 months since the groundbreaking in August 2023, marking significant progress in bringing equipment into the field.

“It is anticipated to commence operations in the first quarter of 2025 and will serve as the first overseas factory to achieve mass production and delivery of EVE Energy,” the statement said.

EVE Energy co-founder and CEO Liu Jianhua said “the construction of EVE Energy’s Malaysian factory will further promote cooperation and exchange between China and Malaysia in the field of new energy,” he said.

Liu noted that the Malaysian factory already possesses mature technical reserves and production capabilities and that once completed and operational, EVE Energy’s ability to “manufacture globally, deliver globally, and cooperate globally” will be significantly enhanced, better meeting the delivery and service demands of clients worldwide.

At the ceremony, EVE Energy Co Ltd signed strategic cooperation agreements with several companies such as Greenworks, Chervon, and JTI, “marking a significant step forward in their partnership,“ according to the statement.

The launching ceremony was attended by Huizhou Municipal Government Deputy Mayor Li Junling, Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim, Kedah State Executive Council member Professor Dr Haim Hilman Abdullah, and Liu Jianhua.

Source: Bernama

EVE Energy Malaysia launches advanced battery manufacturing facility in Kedah

The construction of MTD Nexus 28 Industrial Park, characterised by modern and sophisticated industrial premises, is expected to boost economic development in Melaka, particularly in attracting more investors from outside and within the state.

MTD acting group chief executive officer Reime Rizal Abdul Aziz said the construction of 86 units of modern factories in the strategic location namely Taman Tasik Utama, Ayer Keroh is seen as a potential attraction for investors, considering that the ecosystem of the project is built based on the concept of future business and enterprise.

He said the latest real estate project will develop 46 semi-detached factory units and 40 units of one-and-a-half-storey terrace factories in the mature commercial and residential area of Taman Tasik Utama.

“Apart from the strategic location, the provision of solar PV installation structures, smart infrastructure systems, and rainwater harvesting systems will also add significant value, as these elements are among the main drivers for investors in searching for premises to conduct their businesses,” he told Bernama here today.

“More importantly, this project does not lag behind in empowering sustainable development, which not only boosts the local and state economy but is also expected to create more job opportunities, especially for the local community.”

Earlier he officiated at the pre-launch of MTD Nexus 28 Industrial Park, which was also attended by MTD Properties chief operating officer Dr Nik Fauzan Nik Faizul, at the MTD Properties sales office and gallery in Taman Tasik Utama, Ayer Keroh here today.

He said the project, on 2.472 hectares (ha) of land, is expected to be fully completed in by 2027, thereby completing MTD Properties’ achievements in the real estate market in Melaka, including the housing project, Phase 23 Cinerea Heights, that has now recorded over 80 per cent of units sold even though the project is still ongoing.

“MTD Nexus 28 is a ‘starter kit’, however, we believe it will reflect MTD Properties’ credibility in industry-related premises and we certainly have high hopes that this project will bear fruit for other projects.

“As a property developer that has been operating for three decades, MTD Properties’ focus is certainly not only on physical development but also in line with the state government’s development blueprint in building sustainable communities, green technology, and better quality of life, while the projects we undertake are carried out more systematically and meet investors’ demands,” he added.

Meanwhile, MTD Properties will also continue their social responsibility to the community, especially the residents of Taman Tasik Utama, with a total of 65.761 ha of land provided and developed in collaboration with the local government, including primary and secondary schools, religious schools, mosques, an 8.09-ha green area, recreational parks, and a centralised sewage tank. 

Source: The Star/Bernama

MTD Nexus 28 industrial park expected to boost Melaka economic development

Proton Holdings Bhd is confident the momentum that drove up total industry volume (TIV) sales forecast for 2024 could be sustained going into next year, says its deputy chief executive Roslan Abdullah.

Commenting on the recently upgraded TIV forecast by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) that 2024 should see sales touch 800,000 units, Roslan said there is a chance the number can be exceeded, with the sector also seeing a similar 2025 provided the country’s economic situation remains stable.

“Salary increases among civil servants, coupled with the amended minimum wage policy should attract more vehicle buyers, which bodes well for the automotive sector. These wage increases also open the path for financial institutions to provide more loans,” he said.

Roslan was speaking to StarBiz on the sidelines of the launch of Proton’s first electric vehicle (EV) model, the e.MAS 7, an event officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday.

Proton chairman Tan Sri Syed Faisal Albar had mentioned the e.MAS 7 is a fully green vehicle with zero carbon emissions, which is aligned with the nation’s net-zero commitment, before adding that the group had opened a new research and development (R&D) centre in China’s Hangzhou Bay back in April to strengthen its EV initiatives.

He said the R&D centre has a total of 60 local engineers responsible for the Proton’s e-MAS range in the future, including the e.MAS 7.

“Global auto sales had reached 92 million cars last year and one third of them were in China alone, and therefore, we are glad our partner is a global original equipment manufacturer from China.

“Geely has provided us with the impetus needed to bring us to another level, not just in Malaysia but also in the export markets,” said Syed Faisal.

Meanwhile, Geely Auto Group chief executive officer Jerry Gan said the partnership between Proton and Geely is a representation of pragmatic cooperation and shared success between the companies.

He remarked that Proton’s R&D centre in China marked a deeper integration of both companies R&D’s systems, significantly enhancing Proton’s research and innovation capabilities.

“The e.MAS 7 is a testament to the depth of collaboration between Proton and Geely. Over 700,000 man hours of R&D were invested, with over 100,000km of localised vehicle durability testing conducted,” added Gan.

At the same event, DRB-Hicom Bhd signed a memoranda of understanding (MoU) with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) and Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) to promote the enhancement and transformation of Malaysia’s automotive industry in the Automotive Hi-Tech Valley (AHTV) project in Tanjung Malim, Perak.

The agreements were inked together with DRB-Hicom’s joint-venture partner, China’s automotive group Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd, and carry the objective of transforming the AHTV into a global automotive hub, focusing on the production of next generation vehicles (NxGV) and high-tech automotive components.

The collaboration with Mida, which is valid for two years, will focus on exploring potential areas of cooperation and collaboration to promote investments specifically in the development of the AHTV, with the objective of fostering growth, capabilities and competitiveness of the Malaysia automotive industry.

Key areas of collaboration include promoting the transformation of Malaysia’s automotive industry and Industry 4.0, helping the country to become a leader for energy efficient vehicles in Asean, while also focusing on the production of NxGVs and high tech automotive components.

Concurrently, the agreement with MARii would be for the purpose of exploring areas of cooperation and collaboration in the areas of R&D and talent development as a global strategic project that contributes to the enhancement and transformation of Malaysia’s automotive industry.

Looking back at the e.MAS 7, Proton revealed that the base Prime variant is priced at RM109,800, while the top Premium costs RM123,800 each excluding insurance.

The first 3,000 buyers will get a RM4,000 discount, making the respective prices RM105,800 for the Prime and RM119,800 for the Premium.

Stopping short of disclosing Proton’s sales targets for the e.MAS 7, Roslan said that the group is working closely with Geely for more upcoming EV models, while pledging its support to the government’s net-zero agenda.

When asked if the next models will gravitate towards the more affordable segment, he acknowledged the group is indeed looking into pricing as one of the key factors in its next models after the launch of the e.MAS 7.

Source: The Star

Proton positive about prospects for first EV

Ningbo Deye Technology Co, a Chinese inverter producer, plans to invest up to US$150 million (RM667.5 million) in building a solar equipment manufacturing base in Malaysia.

The company will set up a subsidiary in the Southeast Asian country and plans to make photovoltaic equipment and energy storage products there, it said in an exchange filing in Shanghai on Monday. The investment needs approvals from both the Chinese and Malaysian governments, it added.

“With constant changes in the international situation and trade environment, the necessity of overseas capacity is increasingly urgent. Setting up a subsidiary in Malaysia will help the company further expand into overseas markets and respond to potential adverse impacts of the macro environment and international trade in a more flexible manner,” the company said.

Chinese firms have been tapping Southeast Asian countries to circumvent US restrictions on their products, but Washington has also imposed duties on panels from the region to protect its own industry.

Source: The Edge Malaysia/Bloomberg

Chinese inverter maker plans US$150m solar base in Malaysia

Texchem Resources Bhd will grow its polymer engineering and industrial divisions in 2025 in its effort to tap into the expanding medical, life sciences and wafer semiconductor segments.

President and group chief executive officer Dr Yuma Konishi told StarBiz that the group plans to create synergies between its manufacturing and distribution divisions to widen its product portfolio.

“In 2025, we will harvest the rewards from data memory, data storage, and medical and life sciences-related products that have been successfully launched in the past few years,” he stated.

“Malaysia has also benefitted from substantial foreign direct investment in data centres, semiconductors and medical technology industries.

“We are excited about the potential synergistic impact on our polymer and industrial divisions,” he added.

Konishi noted that Texchem’s collaboration with global fast-moving consumer goods brand owners uniquely positioned the group to drive sustainability with its proprietary product, TEXa – a bio-composite material developed and manufactured in Malaysia.

This aligns with environmental, social and governance challenges, offering solutions that support the circular economy.

“In the medical and life sciences segment, the group will further focus on single-use medical device contract development and manufacturing as our strategic business model.”

He said the group will also focus on the data memory and semiconductor sectors through its series of innovative cleanroom static control packaging products, namely the Wafer Shipper.

“The product’s polymer processing technologies and patented designs will meet the growing demands and needs of the artificial intelligence and data industries, domestically and globally,” he added.

For its industrial trading division, Konishi highlighted that the group will continue to strengthen its long-established business relationships with principals and customers.

The industrial segment focuses on the distribution of chemical products.

“We will help our principals penetrate the Asean markets. That is the reason why they work with us.

“Our strength is our market presence, and we know the market very well. As such, we will work on broadening our products and customers.

“We plan to expand our operations in Indonesia and want to grow geographically in Asean.

“We are currently exploring some options at this stage,” he explained.

According to Konishi, the group expects continued challenges in its food division, primarily driven by foreign-exchange controls in Myanmar.

“While Myanmar remains a relevant country of operation, we recognise the need to manage our risk for business sustainability.

“That is why the natural path is to look at operating from Thailand.

“Thailand has the necessary infrastructure, and its fishery industry is mature.

“We will start by working with a contract manufacturer to move towards a longer-term collaboration.

“However, we need to meet our customers’ high standards, which takes careful planning and resource allocation,” Konishi said.

Besides marine product processing, the group operates a food processing plant in Prai, which serves as the central kitchen for its restaurant chains and external parties.

“We will work on developing ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook products to cater to the current lifestyle needs,” he stated.

Konishi noted that the group plans to strengthen the Sushi King brand, a process that will take time due to its scale.

“The necessary structures are in place. Sushi King has a strong base of over 1.2 million members.

“And the group has witnessed consistent growth in its member base and transactions year after year.

“Our renewed investment in brand building, brand loyalty, top-of-mind awareness and brand relevance will help us capture new customers and keep loyal customers coming back,” he said.

Source: The Star

Texchem to grow polymer and industrial businesses