(By Tang Wen, Edited by Lü Dong)

According to a report on April 17 by the foreign technology media "toms hardware", in recent quarters, Malaysia has become the main importer of computing systems and computer components (such as CPUs and GPUs) from Taiwan, China.

Data found by analyst Lennart Heim shows that in March 2025, the export value of computing systems from Taiwan, China to Malaysia reached $1.874 billion (approximately RMB 13.7 billion), while the export value last March was only $401.92 million (approximately RMB 2.936 billion), representing a year-on-year growth of 366%, and compared with $3.4 million (approximately RMB 24.87 million) in March 2023, it increased by 55117%.

Sharp increase in exports of computing systems from Taiwan, China to Malaysia Tom's Hardware

Data shows that Malaysian enterprises are not only importing AI servers from Taiwan, China but are also accelerating their procurement of components such as NVIDIA H100. In March 2025, the export value of computer components from Taiwan, China to Malaysia increased to $60.83 million (approximately RMB 440 million), higher than $27.04 million (approximately RMB 198 million) in March 2023 and $15 million (approximately RMB 110 million) in the same period last year.

Sharp increase in exports of computer components from Taiwan, China to Malaysia Tom's Hardware

It is worth noting that both cheap laptops exported from Taiwan, China to Malaysia and NVIDIA's AI servers fall under the same HS code title, with specific suffixes not disclosed. This means that it is impossible to truly distinguish whether the surge in exports from Taiwan, China to Malaysia is due to AI servers or laptops.

Similarly, whether the surge is due to a buying spree before the next round of U.S. export control measures takes effect or the re-export of data centers via Malaysia remains unknown.

However, one thing is clear: Malaysia is stepping up its efforts in the field of artificial intelligence.

In December 2024, Malaysia established the National Artificial Intelligence Office to formulate AI policies and conduct supervision, aiming to promote Malaysia's AI development agenda. According to Malaysia International Trade documents, the authorities have formulated and implemented the "Artificial Intelligence Roadmap (2021–2025)" to drive national digital transformation, with the goal of making AI a key tool for driving Malaysia's economic growth, industrial upgrading, and social progress.

In the 2025 government budget, 10 million Malaysian ringgit (approximately RMB 16.54 million) were allocated for the operation of the National AI Office, and another 50 million Malaysian ringgit (approximately RMB 82.71 million) were earmarked for AI education to support AI research and development and cultivate future technical talent.

In addition, Malaysia has launched initiatives such as the "Global Testing Initiative" (GTI) to attract domestic and international technology companies to conduct research and technical trials, helping to build a modern AI ecosystem.

Moreover, Malaysia has attracted investments from several tech giants. In December 2023, NVIDIA announced a partnership with YTL Power of Malaysia, planning to invest $4.3 billion (approximately RMB 31.4 billion) to build an AI supercomputing center in Muar, Malaysia. The aim is to leverage NVIDIA's AI chips to develop Malay language large language models, positioning Malaysia as a hub for computational infrastructure in Southeast Asia.

Microsoft announced in May 2024 that it would invest $2.2 billion (approximately RMB 16.1 billion) over the next four years in Malaysia to build cloud computing and AI infrastructure, marking Microsoft's largest investment in Malaysia in 32 years; ByteDance and Google separately announced investments of $2.1 billion (approximately RMB 15.3 billion) and $2 billion (approximately RMB 14.6 billion) respectively, to establish multiple AI infrastructure projects including data centers, cloud services, and AI development in Malaysia.

On March 8, 2025, Malaysia established the Semiconductor Industry Artificial Intelligence Alliance (MAIN) to provide a platform for the application of AI in semiconductor manufacturing.

Meanwhile, Malaysia is accelerating the development of its chip industry. It is currently the sixth largest semiconductor exporter globally. Approximately 50 semiconductor companies, including Intel, Micron, Texas Instruments, NXP, ASE Group, Infineon, Huatian Technology, Tongfu Microelectronics, Suzhou Good-Ark, Renesas Electronics, ON Semiconductor, Amkor, and STMicroelectronics, have already set up back-end assembly and testing facilities in Malaysia.

However, Malaysia's local semiconductor industry still primarily focuses on "back-end" services such as chip assembly, packaging, and testing, striving to enter more complex and high-value-added advanced manufacturing and design fields.

The Malaysian government released the "Kuala Lumpur 20 Action Document" on April 22, 2024, announcing plans to create the largest integrated circuit (IC) design park in Southeast Asia, offering tax breaks, subsidies, and free work visas as incentives.

In May 2024, Malaysia unveiled the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS), planning to attract at least 50 billion Malaysian ringgit (approximately RMB 827.1 billion) in investment over the next 10 years, focusing on the development of IC design, advanced packaging, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment sectors.

Malaysia will provide approximately $5.3 billion (approximately RMB 38.7 billion) in financial support and targeted incentives to achieve this goal. Additionally, Malaysia plans to establish at least 10 companies specializing in semiconductor design and advanced packaging locally, with annual revenues between $210 million and $1 billion (approximately RMB 1.534 billion to RMB 7.3 billion). The implementation of this strategy will be divided into three phases, aiming to transform Malaysia from a traditional packaging and testing center into a higher value-added design and manufacturing center.

In March 2025, Malaysia signed a $250 million (approximately RMB 1.8 billion) cooperation agreement with UK-based Arm, planning to design, manufacture, and assemble local AI chips in Malaysia and promote the upgrade of advanced semiconductor industries in "Made in Malaysia".

However, Malaysia's transformation is far from easy. According to Vulcan Post reports, one of the most pressing issues facing Malaysia's semiconductor industry is the severe shortage of skilled talent. Malaysia needs approximately 300,000 workers to maintain and develop the industry, with about 60,000 requiring technical expertise and engineers. However, the current number of graduates in science and engineering majors in Malaysia is insufficient, and many graduates choose to work in non-related fields. Additionally, the relatively low local salary levels in Malaysia lead some technical talents to move to places like Singapore where salaries are higher.

Keng Likang, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation of Malaysia, pointed out that although Malaysia's infrastructure is relatively complete, improvements are still needed in broadband connectivity in rural areas and supporting facilities in industrial parks. Moreover, bureaucratic red tape and inconsistent enforcement of regulations by the Malaysian government in land use, utilities, and local planning approvals increase operational costs and uncertainties for businesses.

At the same time, the semiconductor industry faces barriers to investment, being capital-intensive. The startup funds for advanced packaging or IC design startups often amount to tens of millions of dollars, and the high capital requirements deter many potential local entrepreneurs and investors in Malaysia.

Sir Datuk Seri Wong Sau Tai, Chairman of the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association, stated that Malaysia can learn from China's model, where the government provides substantial support to lower entry barriers for local enterprises.

This article is an exclusive piece by Guancha Observer and cannot be reproduced without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7494584937039888935/

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