Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, announced that Arm Holdings Plc will sign an agreement to establish a base in Malaysia next week. This development follows discussions involving Arm’s CEO and SoftBank’s CEO. Anwar emphasized the importance of political stability for attracting investments, while also addressing the challenge of ensuring a skilled workforce to meet industry demands.
In a significant development for Malaysia’s semiconductor industry, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that Arm Holdings Plc, a prominent semiconductor company based in the United Kingdom, is poised to sign an agreement to establish a base in Malaysia next week. This announcement followed an online discussion Anwar had with Arm’s Chief Executive Officer, alongside discussions with Masayoshi Son, the CEO of SoftBank Group Corp, a major Japanese investment firm.
During a media briefing at the Malaysia Madani logo placement ceremony, Anwar expressed optimism about finalizing the agreement, stating, “Insya-Allah, we will finalise the agreement next week, and it will be signed.” He highlighted Arm’s exemplary status in semiconductor design and manufacturing, indicating that their decision to establish operations in Malaysia is a notable achievement.
Anwar attributed the potential influx of such investments to Malaysia’s political stability and clear policymaking, which create an attractive environment for international companies. However, he also acknowledged the challenges that accompany these investments, particularly regarding the need for a skilled, professional workforce to support the growing industry. He remarked, “This is a major test — can we provide tens of thousands of young professionals? This is a challenge for the youth.”
Arm Holdings Plc, headquartered in Cambridge, England, is globally recognized for its design of central processing unit (CPU) architectures that incorporate the Arm instruction set. This agreement marks a pivotal moment for Malaysia as it aims to enhance its positions in the semiconductor industry while addressing workforce development needs.
The anticipated agreement between Arm Holdings Plc and Malaysia signifies a promising step forward for the country’s semiconductor landscape. The involvement of Arm, a leader in chip design, is projected to fuel economic growth. Nevertheless, it poses considerable challenges regarding workforce readiness, as Malaysia strives to develop a sufficient supply of qualified professionals to support this ambitious venture.
Original Source: theedgemalaysia.com
