The opening ceremony was officiated by YB Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), and attended by SEMI leadership, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) led by Chief Executive Officer Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, and senior executives from global semiconductor companies.
(MITI) delivering his speech during the SEMICON SEA 2026 Official Opening Ceremony
Held under the theme “Transform Tomorrow” in strategic partnership with MITI and MIDA, SEMICON Southeast Asia 2026 is expected to welcome more than 20,000 innovators, policymakers and technology experts. The three-day event focuses on manufacturing scale-up, advanced packaging, intelligent manufacturing and workforce development as companies respond to demand driven by artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and advanced electronics.
“The semiconductor industry is at an inflexion point, and Malaysia intends to be at the centre of what comes next. Under the MADANI Economy Framework and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, we are not simply maintaining our position in the global semiconductor supply chain; we are deliberately reshaping it. The NIMP 2030 sets a clear direction for the E&E sector to move beyond assembly and test into design, advanced packaging and innovation-driven manufacturing, and MIDA is here to make that transition real,” said Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid
“The RM28.5 billion secured by the E&E sector in 2025 is proof that global confidence in Malaysia has not wavered. What we are now building is the ecosystem to match that confidence, through supply chain integration, local capability development and the kind of high-value partnerships that platforms like SEMICON Southeast Asia are uniquely placed to catalyse,” he said.
SEMI President and CEO Ajit Manocha highlighted the importance of collaboration across the semiconductor ecosystem as the industry grows in scale and complexity. “SEMI’s role has always been to bring together the global semiconductor ecosystem, and that responsibility becomes even more important as the industry grows in scale and complexity,” said Ajit Manocha, President and CEO of SEMI.
SEMICON SEA 2026 Official Opening Ceremony
“Today, innovation is no longer confined to a single segment. It requires closer alignment across design, manufacturing, materials and supply chains. SEMICON Southeast Asia provides a platform to bridge these different parts of the ecosystem, enabling stakeholders to engage in more meaningful collaboration and move from discussion to execution.”
Linda Tan, President of SEMI Southeast Asia, said coordination across regions and capabilities will be critical as demand continues to be driven by artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and advanced electronics. “SEMICON Southeast Asia 2026 is not only about showcasing technology, but about strengthening the partnerships needed to support long-term industry growth and resilience,” she said.
SEMICON SEA 2026 Official Opening Ceremony
The event features leadership programmes including the Executive Leadership Summit, MIDA Strategic Semiconductor Forum and Seminar, Sustainability and Energy Summit, TechZoomers Challenge and TalentCONNECT, reflecting SEMICON Southeast Asia’s role as both an exhibition platform and a convening point for leadership, capability and execution across the region’s semiconductor ecosystem.
Marking more than a decade of strategic collaboration, MIDA and SEMI also reinforced 12 years of partnership focused on elevating Malaysia’s standing in the global semiconductor value chain. The collaboration remains centred on ecosystem integration, enterprise capability and talent advancement to support long-term economic resilience and industry competitiveness.
SEMICON Southeast Asia 2026 runs from 5–7 May 2026 at MITEC, Kuala Lumpur, with participation from companies and organisations across Asia, the United States and Europe.
