By Isabelle LEONG
Putrajaya, Malaysia (AFP) Mar 4, 2026
Malaysia’s anti-corruption company stated Wednesday it was probing alleged abuse of energy, fraud and governance points linked to a 1.11 billion ringgit ($280 million) deal between the Malaysian authorities and British chip large Arm Holdings.
The Southeast Asian nation, which is without doubt one of the world’s prime chip exporters, signed an settlement with the agency final March to spice up manufacturing of high-end semiconducters, because the US-China tech commerce warfare shook international markets.
“We’ve summoned a complete of 12 witnesses so removed from numerous authorities businesses, particularly from the financial system ministry, Malaysia’s funding growth authority and likewise from the commerce ministry and a number of other different businesses,” Anti-Corruption Fee (MACC) chief Azam Baki stated.
A former minister was a type of referred to as in to provide an announcement, Azam stated, refusing to call the person.
Rafizi Ramli was Malaysia’s financial system minister on the time, whereas Tengku Zafrul Aziz held the funding, commerce and business minister portfolio.
Malaysia is a key participant within the important chips sector however has been largely centered on packaging, meeting and testing companies — the decrease finish of the market.
The Arm Holdings settlement will see the Softbank-owned agency present chip designs and different expertise to Malaysia, serving to the nation shift into extra value-added manufacturing, equivalent to wafer fabrication and built-in circuit design.
Malaysia stated at the moment it might pay $250 million over a decade to obtain assist from the British firm.
“We are going to examine this matter in a good {and professional} method,” Azam stated, including that extra witnesses can be summoned to help the probe.
Malaysia’s semiconductor exports had been valued at 387.98 billion ringgit ($87.48 billion) in 2024, the Malaysia Exterior Commerce Growth Company stated, making the nation one of many world’s prime 10 chip exporters.
Malaysia’s northern island of Penang, dwelling to numerous services, is usually dubbed the nation’s Silicon Valley.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim introduced plans in April 2024 to construct an enormous semiconductor design park, an effort to maneuver the nation past chips manufacturing.
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