THE Penang government today announced the formation of an Executive Council and Advisory Panel to support and ensure the success of the Penang Silicon Design @5km+ initiative, aimed at bolstering the state’s integrated circuit (IC) design capabilities.
Speaking at the soft launch of Penang Silicon Design @5km+ at GBS TechSpace in Bayan Lepas today, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow explained that the Executive Council would serve as the highest decision-making body, setting the strategic direction, framework, and governance for the initiative.
“The Executive Council will be chaired by myself as chief minister of Penang with the members comprising the state secretary, the state financial officer, and the chief executive officers (CEOs) of Penang Development Corporation (PDC) and InvestPenang.
“Meanwhile, the Advisory Panel will provide strategic guidance to ensure the initiative’s goals are achieved efficiently. The CEO of InvestPenang and the CEO of the Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC) will serve as chairperson and deputy chairperson of the panel respectively.
“The Advisory Panel will comprise representatives from academia and industry, including AMD Global Services, the Collaborative Microelectronic Design Excellence Centre (CEDEC), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Intel Malaysia Design Centre, Oppstar, SkyeChip, and UST Malaysia,” Chow said in his speech.
Also present during the soft launching were Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, Penang State Secretary Datuk Zulkifli Long, Penang Financial Officer Datuk Zabidah Safar, state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, InvestPenang chief executive officer Datuk Loo Lee Lian and PDC senior deputy chief executive officer Datuk Mohammad Azhar Hamdan.
According to Chow, through the formation of this council and advisory panel, Penang will be able to promote more synergies between industrial players, academia and government agencies to introduce more initiatives that can further advance IC design capabilities.
He also announced the launch of Penang Incentive Package Schemes, specifically designed to attract and support IC design players in the state.
“These incentives, ranging from RM500,000 to RM2 million per company over three years, will be available to both Malaysia-based and foreign firms in the IC design sector.
“Through these incentives, we aim to continue attracting and supporting IC design players who will contribute to this transformative initiative.
“With additional support from the Federal Government, pending approval from the Ministry of Finance, the state will be able to further improve these incentive packages. InvestPenang will provide further details on the schemes and eligibility criteria,” Chow added.
He also shared that Penang has the highest concentration of IC design-related companies, with 28 of them residing in the state, including both local firms and multinational corporations (MNCs), underscoring Penang’s pivotal role in advancing the nation’s economy through high-value activities.
To strengthen Penang’s position in the IC design sector, the state introduced the Penang Silicon Design @5km+ initiative, which aims to create an interconnected ecosystem for IC design and technology enterprises within a 5km+ radius of the Bayan Lepas industrial park.
“Under this initiative, the state has thus far introduced three key components, namely Penang IC Design and Digital Park @Bayan Lepas, the Penang Chip Design Academy @PSDC and Silicon Research & Incubation Space @GBS TechSpace,” he said.
Chow also mentioned the key highlight of the Penang Silicon Design @5km+ initiative will be happening by the end of the year.
“The official opening of GBS TechSpace as the Silicon Research & Incubation Space will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“We also look forward to the prime minister witnessing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with key stakeholders in support of this initiative,” Chow added.
“As Penang and Malaysia now gear towards moving in the front-end of the global semiconductor industry, I believe the Penang Silicon Design @5km+ initiative can take us to new and exciting heights,” he concluded.
Gobind praised the Penang government for its Penang Silicon Design @5km+ initiative.
He mentioned this initiative is in line with efforts to make the National Semiconductor Strategy a success and boost the electrical and electronics industry ecosystem in the state.
“Such a move will also help underscore Penang’s pivotal role as a sustainable IC Design research and development hub,” said Gobind.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud