BINTULU: Sarawak continues to strengthen its position in the semiconductor value chain through its latest strategic investment in the production of world-class semiconductor materials.

Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said the collaboration between OCI Terrasus and Tokuyama Corporation is a strong testament to investors' confidence in Sarawak as a strategic and sustainable high-tech investment destination in the region.

According to him, this collaboration will produce semiconductor-grade polysilicon, a high-purity material that is essential in the global semiconductor supply chain from smartphones to electric vehicles, data centres and artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

“With this investment, Sarawak strengthens its position in the global semiconductor value chain and takes another step towards becoming an advanced technology manufacturing hub in the region.

“This is in line with the Sarawak Semiconductor Strategic Framework which aims to attract investments across the entire value chain,” he said.

He said this while speaking at the Groundbreaking Ceremony of the OCI Tokuyama Semiconductor Materials (OTSM) Semiconductor-Grade Polysilicon Plant held at the Samalaju Industrial Park, here, on Wednesday.

Explaining further, he said the semiconductor industry is currently growing rapidly and Sarawak does not want to be left behind, hence the government is developing a wholly-owned Sarawak semiconductor company, in addition to establishing collaborations with academic institutions in the United Kingdom (UK).

“The Sarawak government will also go into this industry when we form our own Sarawak Semiconductor Manufacturing firm, while at the same time doing collaborative expertise with academia in the UK, where the Sarawak government is setting up a laboratory in the United Kingdom in Cardiff, Wales.

“Currently, we are conducting research to produce a scale chip known as an AI power chip and we hope that by the end of this year, we will have successfully registered the international intellectual property (IP) for the AI power chip,” he explained.

In this regard, Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari explained that the establishment of the new factory in Bintulu will be an additional boost to Sarawak’s participation in the semiconductor industry.

Also present were the Deputy Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development of Sarawak, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development of Sarawak, Dato Majang Renggi, Deputy Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment of Sarawak, Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh and Chairman of OCI Holdings and OCI Terrasus, Woohyun Lee.- UKASnews