13/09/2025

SATURDAY | SEPT 13, 2025

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KUCHING: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on semiconductor industry players to collaborate on a pro bono basis with universities nationwide to build greater local expertise and human capital in the high-tech sector. Speaking at the launch of the facility expansion of X-FAB Sarawak yesterday, he emphasised the need for joint efforts between the government, academia and industry to meet the growing global demand for semiconductor talent. “Although we talk about TVET and producing trained talent, and to be very frank, we do produce engineers, that alone is not adequate if there is no synergy between universities and industry. “I would like to request the industry to take time to visit the universities, look at the curriculum and the disciplines and give immediate suggestions on what they lack and need to be introduced. “If you are kind enough, give the initial training, exposure and lectures, pro bono of course.” Anwar said the federal government remains fully committed to driving the country’s semiconductor ambitions through the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS), which acknowledges Sarawak’s vast potential in becoming a global player in the field. “I’m not exaggerating. Given the geopolitical scenario now and the centrality of Malaysia in Asean, our engagement with both the United States and China, as well as Europe, Asia and now, even Latin America and Africa, we are in the best position to be seen as stable, central and prepared to engage with all countries.” X-FAB, a global leader in analogue or mixed signal and speciality semiconductor manufacturing, revealed that it is expanding its facility in Kuching at a cost of RM3 billion. This increases X-FAB Sarawak’s monthly wafer production capacity from 30,000 to 40,000 units, strengthening Malaysia’s role as a critical hub for high-tech chip production, particularly for the automotive, medical and industrial sectors. Also present were Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg and X-FAB Group CEO Rudi De Winter. – Bernama to collaborate pro bono with varsities Sarawak’s strengths to be featured at Asean Summit Semiconductor industries urged KUCHING: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia will highlight its semiconductor strategy at the 47th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur next month to attract more foreign investments in the industry. “In conjunction with the Asean Summit, we will also promote the semiconductor strategy and competitive incentives to foreign firms,” he said when launching the expansion of X-FAB Sarawak’s facility at the Sama Jaya Free Industrial Zone yesterday. Anwar said Malaysia, particularly Sarawak, is in the best position to articulate its strengths, with the state set to be the star of the show at the summit. He said Sarawak would be prominently featured in Malaysia’s international engagements, particularly during economic sessions held alongside major summits, to showcase investment opportunities and the state’s readiness to support the global semiconductor supply chain. On a separate matter, Anwar confirmed the attendance of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the summit. He had earlier disclosed that United States President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese Premier Li Qiang would also be present. – Bernama

‘No more abandoned housing projects by 2030’

zero-risk seismic zone. “We must never compromise on public safety. When clients demand that you cut corners, you must tell them that professionalism does not allow it,” he told engineers, while rallying support for the proposed Urban Renewal Bill to modernise old buildings. Nga said reforms in waste management would focus on mechanisation, electrification of cleaning vehicles and stricter enforcement against littering while aligning with the Green Building Index to promote energy efficiency and climate resilience. He said the ministry’s initiatives form part of a holistic effort to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and the New Urban Agenda. “On the global stage, as Malaysia holds the presidency of UN-Habitat, we have proposed that the New Urban Agenda be integrated into the upcoming 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. “This is to ensure that the voices and commitments of developing countries resonate globally.” The ministry said in a statement later that incentives for developers adopting the build then-sell model would be rolled out under 13MP alongside cleanliness reforms and alignment with the Green Building Index.

o Reformsunder13MPaimtoprotecthomebuyers,ensure affordability and raise quality standards: Minister

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

“We must not allow our cities to be divided – one part for the rich and powerful, another for the poor and powerless. While we prosper, we must ensure that no one is left behind.” Nga said Malaysia is already one of the region’s most urbanised nations, with more than 75% of the population living in cities, a figure projected to climb to 85% by 2040. “With rapid digitalisation and technological breakthroughs reshaping the foundation of urban development, we must ask ourselves a pertinent question: What kind of future are we building for Malaysians?” On green spaces, he said his ministry had already surpassed its target of building 100 neighbourhood parks annually. “Last year, we achieved 109 Madani parks. This year, we are building another 100, and in two years, we would have completed 216. With two terms of administration, we will achieve 1,000 Madani parks nationwide.” He also underlined the importance of public safety in the face of ageing infrastructure, pointing to the recent Johor earthquake as a wake-up call that Peninsular Malaysia could no longer be considered a

PETALING JAYA: Abandoned housing projects could soon be a thing of the past, with Malaysia setting its sights on stopping such situations entirely by 2030 through sweeping reforms under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. “This policy will protect homebuyers, ensure affordability and raise safety and quality standards in the property sector,” he said in his keynote address at the Urban Engineering Symposium yesterday. Nga outlined key measures, including the introduction of electronic Sales and Purchase Agreements, incentives for developers adopting the Industrialised Building System and the build-then-sell model. He also unveiled the rebranding of Program Perumahan Rakyat into the People’s Residency Programme, which will integrate sustainable elements such as rainwater harvesting systems, solar panels, smart homes and urban farming.

Nga being accompanied by CIS Network president Datuk Vincent Lim during a tour of the exhibits at the Urban Engineering Symposium yesterday. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH /THESUN

Singapore commends Malaysia’s Asean leadership SINGAPORE: The city state deeply appreciates the steady hand with which Malaysia has steered Asean this year under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership, and will continue to strongly support Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship, said its Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan. can do together to bring relations to the next level,” he said at Malaysia’s National Day and Malaysia Day reception on Thursday. Vivian said the close partnership of both countries cuts across multiple domains, including regular high-level interactions to build trust and co-create solutions.

“The JS-SEZ has the potential to be a game changer, not just for multinational corporations but also our homegrown SMEs.” He said the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link, expected to start operations by end-2026, would also reduce commute time, enhance physical connectivity and open up new collaboration opportunities. He said both countries are also strengthening cultural and people-to-people ties. He added that this includes joint efforts such as the Unesco inscription of the kebaya in 2024, the upcoming Triennial Cultural Showcase in Malaysia and the Malaysia-Singapore English Volunteers Programme, in which volunteers from the republic would assist in teaching English in Malaysian schools. – Bernama

He also said they remain among each other’s largest trading partners and are doubling down on opportunities through the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). He added that since the agreement was signed in January, the JS-SEZ had attracted strong business interest. “By leveraging on our complementary strengths, the JS-SEZ will help both sides better navigate the growing global economic uncertainty.

He said Singapore and Malaysia could do much more to elevate bilateral ties, including through their shared commitment to keeping Asean cohesive, vibrant and forward-looking amid turbulent global geopolitics. “There are numerous other examples of how, across the board, our two sides are earnestly working together for mutual benefit. While there is much that we can be proud of having accomplished together in the last six decades, there is much more that Singapore and Malaysia