KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 (Xinhua) -- The prolonged geopolitical tensions that are resulting in fragmented supply chains and trade networks necessitate that Malaysia build up its semiconductor sector, not only to ensure it is protected against such disruptions but also to drive national development forward, an official said on Thursday.
These efforts must be paired with strong human capital development and partnerships with friendly partners, Ng Sze Han, Selangor state executive councilor for investment, trade and mobility, said in his remarks at a semiconductor sector event here.
"As global semiconductor supply chains unavoidably realign along geopolitical lines, industry analyses highlight that the future belongs to nations capable of building deep, localized, and highly skilled talent pools," he said.
Ng also explained that while broad macroeconomic trends reveal a stark reality, the massive acceleration in AI and advanced manufacturing is hitting a severe bottleneck.
"Today, the primary constraint is no longer just access to silicon or computing power; it is a critical shortage of human capital," he noted.
The official added that the state government, in tandem with efforts at the federal level, is pushing to realize Malaysia's potential and develop its talent pool to ensure these efforts culminate in true hardware-level validation and industry-leading talent. ■