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A Well-Oiled Machinery & Equipment Sector: The Silent Strength Powering Malaysia’s Semiconductor Manufacturing Excellence
This is not the story of flashy innovation or overnight success. It’s the story of four decades spent mastering the unglamorous but indispensable, precision robots that place components with microscopic accuracy, testing equipment that validates every nanometer, and clean room systems that maintain environments more sterile than operating theatres. Behind every chip that rolls off a Malaysian assembly line lies this web of engineering excellence, a competitive advantage so deeply embedded that even global giants struggle to replicate it.
Malaysia ranks as the sixth largest semiconductor exporter globally and commands 13 per cent of the world’s Assembly, Testing and Packaging Operations.
As Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, CEO of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), puts it, “When global semiconductor companies look at Malaysia, they see our competitive costs or our location, But, what really differentiates us is our comprehensive Machinery and Equipment (M&E ecosystem) — the ability to not just build but continuously innovate and maintain the incredibly sophisticated equipment that semiconductor operation depends on.
The integrated Machinery and Equipment (M&E) ecosystem has been fundamentally shaped by key Foreign Investments (FI) that serve as catalysts for local capacity building. Global leaders specialising in front-end equipment, such as LAM Research and Applied Materials, have established major manufacturing and support operations in Malaysia, creating extensive sourcing opportunities for local players. At the same time, back-end equipment innovator Besi APAC and Cohu actively collaborates with Malaysian companies, transferring expertise in high-precision manufacturing. This strategic integration has played a critical role in advancing homegrown champions such as Pentamaster, Vitrox, Greatech, Tonasco and SFP, enabling them to evolve from simple component suppliers into engineering partners capable of meeting global standards in advanced packaging and complex assembly.
This robust ecosystem, honed across generations of manufacturing excellence, is Malaysia’s quiet competitive edge. It comprises a complete value chain, supported by our foundational engineering support expertise in precision machining, tooling, and high-tolerance metal fabrication, which forms the physical backbone for more complex automated equipment and robotics. And now, as the country pivots from its decades-long dominance in downstream activities toward capturing high-value front-end segments, that machinery and equipment foundation is about to become its most potent weapon.
MIDA’s Gameplan: A Multi-Pronged Strategic Push
The shift is as ambitious as it is necessary. High-value segments such as chip design and advanced manufacturing technologies depend on specialised M&E such as lithography, deposition, and etching equipment — critical processes that define the performance and capabilities of every modern chip.
MIDA is spearheading the shift by positioning Malaysia as a regional hub for front-end semiconductor M&E manufacturing, guided by clear mandates from the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030 and the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS). On the international front, the agency is actively courting global pioneers in front-end equipment manufacturing to attract anchor investments that will accelerate the development of a sophisticated, high-value manufacturing ecosystem within Malaysia.
The strategic push, however, goes beyond just attracting investments. MIDA is building a thriving high-tech ecosystem to support technology transfer, knowledge exchange and collaborative innovation. The agency maps local manufacturers and facilitate high-impact business matching at key events like SEMICON Southeast Asia 2025, creating direct pathways for Malaysian suppliers to embed themselves into global supply chains and engage with industry titans like ASML, Ferrotec, and Micron.
The goal is nothing less than repositioning Malaysian M&E companies from component suppliers to strategic innovation partners in the most critical segments of the global value chain.
Nurturing Homegrown Champions
Yet for all the emphasis on global partnerships, MIDA understand that Malaysia’s semiconductor future must be built on homegrown capabilities. The focus has shifted toward nurturing deep expertise in highly specialised areas such as, advanced mechatronics, precision optics, and complex process technologies. Through targeted facilitation and incentives. the government is betting that Malaysian companies can close the gap with global leaders faster than anyone expects.
Industry veterans like Chuah Choon Bin, founder and executive chairman of Penang-based Pentamaster Corporation Berhad, welcome the support. “In today’s fiercely competitive environment, where intense price competition particularly from China continues to put pressure on margins, the financial support from the government is crucial to help Malaysian companies like us to remain competitive globally,” he explains.
For Pentamaster, which has been operating since 1991, the fiscal support provided by the Malaysian Government through MIDA have been transformative. “These facilitation allow us to intensify R&D, adopt cutting-edge technologies and expand into advanced technology areas in the ATE and FAS segments.” Chuah notes. “They provide the necessary support for us to invest in next-generation technologies like advanced packaging technologies and shorten our time-to-market, which is critical in an industry driven by rapid innovation cycles,”.
Pentamaster’s story reflects the broader heritage that makes Malaysia’s M&E sector resilient. Back then, Penang hosted a deep ecosystem in M&E, electronics, sheet metal fabrication and semiconductor manufacturing.
That heritage, Chuah said, “provided Pentamaster with access to a skilled workforce, precision engineering know-how and a strong supplier network”, advantages that continue to pay dividends today.
The Turning Point
This evolving narrative marks a crucial turning point for Malaysia: the country is ascending from an auxiliary support role to a core position in the advanced chip production infrastructure. The country that spent decades perfecting the machinery behind the scenes is stepping into the spotlight, ready to claim its place among the semiconductor elite.
For a nation that has always let its work speak louder than its words, this moment feels both inevitable and earned. Malaysia’s enduring semiconductor legacy, built on precision, persistence, and the unglamorous art of making things work, is about to be cemented on the global map.
And, the machinery that got them here is just getting started.
Hashtag: #MIDA
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Apical Strengthens Women’s Health to Support Stunting Prevention in Cilincing, North Jakarta
The initiative was launched on 15 December 2025 at the RW 03, RW 09 and RW 10 community offices within the Cilincing public housing complex. Targeting women of reproductive age, the programme was designed as a preventive effort to raise awareness and improve access to essential health services, particularly reproductive health, as a foundation for healthy families and future generations.
Apical’s CSR Manager, Sugiantoro, said the collaboration reflects the company’s long-term, preventive approach to public health. “We believe that healthy women are the pillars of strong families and a key force in shaping healthy communities. Through PT AAJ’s involvement, we aim to create tangible impact by prioritising early prevention, rather than focusing solely on treatment,” he said.
A key focus of the initiative was the early detection of cervical cancer, a serious but largely preventable disease when identified through routine screening and timely intervention. Services provided included IVA screening (visual inspection with acetic acid) and HPV (human papillomavirus) testing.
Dr Kezia Ivana from the Cilincing Community Health Centre explained that IVA and HPV screenings are effective methods for detecting cervical cancer at an early stage.
“Early detection allows us to identify the virus that causes cervical cancer sooner, significantly reducing the risk of disease progression. When detected early, the chances of recovery are very high. However, if left undetected, cervical cancer can lead to severe pain, abnormal bleeding, kidney and urinary tract disorders, swelling of the legs, and fertility problems that may prevent women from having children,” she said.
Apical’s participation in this initiative aligns with the company’s 5Cs philosophy that whatever it does must be good for the Community, Country, Climate and Customer, and only then will it be good for the Company, which underpins its commitment to inclusive and sustainable growth. Through partnerships with local stakeholders, Apical, a member of the RGE group of companies founded by Sukanto Tanoto, continues to support government efforts to address stunting while contributing to improved social and women’s health outcomes, particularly in communities surrounding its operational areas.
Hashtag: #RGE #Apical #CSR #Stunting #Indonesia #Women #Health #Communities
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Apical
Apical is a leading vegetable oil processor with an expanding global footprint. Our vertically integrated mid-stream refining and value-added downstream processing makes us an integral supplier that supports the needs of various industries namely food, feed, oleochemicals and renewable fuel, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) which enables a great reduction of CO2 emissions.
With integrated assets in strategic locations spanning Indonesia, China and Spain, Apical operates numerous refineries, oleochemical plants, renewable fuel plants and kernel crushing plants. Through joint ventures and strategic partnerships, Apical also has processing and distribution operations in Brazil, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Middle East, Africa, USA and Vietnam.
Apical’s growth is built on the foundations of sustainability and transparency, and motivated by our strong belief that we can contribute to a circular economy for a more meaningful impact, even as we continue to grow our business and deliver innovative solutions to our customers.
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Vingroup Signs Strategic Cooperation with The Government of Uzbekistan, Opening Large-Scale Investment Opportunities in Central Asia
Under the MOU, the two parties agreed to jointly study and develop strategic cooperation opportunities in areas such as urban development, sustainable transportation, tourism and leisure infrastructure, as well as other investment projects aligned with Uzbekistan’s development orientation, affirming the scale and capabilities of Vietnamese enterprises on the global economic map.
Specifically, in the area of urban development, Uzbekistan is ready to allocate approximately 1,000 hectares of land in a prime location of the capital Tashkent for Vingroup to study, propose, and invest in the development of a large-scale, integrated urban complex. The project would include residential areas, living infrastructure, commercial and cultural facilities, and public infrastructure facilities. The development is envisioned to form a “Vietnam Town”, creating a modern and sustainable urban landmark while enhancing cultural exchange and economic cooperation between the two countries.
In the field of sustainable transportation, Vingroup has proposed studying the deployment of electric taxi and urban mobility services using VinFast electric vehicles in Uzbekistan, together with a charging infrastructure system and support services. The project is expected to contribute to the green transition, reduce emissions, and improve the quality of urban transportation services in major Uzbek cities.
In tourism and leisure infrastructure, the two sides will explore the potential development of integrated tourism and recreational center, including entertainment facilities, hotels, golf courses and related tourism infrastructure, aiming to unlock tourism potential and enhance Uzbekistan’s attractiveness to international visitors.
In addition, this strategic cooperation also establishes a framework for the two parties to identify, assess, and select other potential investment projects that align with the development strategies and long-term priorities of each side.
On the Uzbek government’s side, the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade committed to supporting Vingroup by providing information on the investment environment, legal framework, and incentive policies, as well as coordinating with relevant authorities and local governments in project preparation, including land allocation, licensing, and access to investment support mechanisms in accordance with legislation.
On Vingroup’s side, the Group will propose conceptual proposals, technical expertise and investment plans, participate in feasibility studies and project structuring, and mobilize member companies within the Vingroup ecosystem to implement suitable projects in Uzbekistan.
Mr. Kasimov Ilzat Ablaxatovich, Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan, stated: “We welcome Vingroup’s interest and commitment to cooperation in Uzbekistan. With its experience in urban development, sustainable transportation, and infrastructure projects, Vingroup is considered a strategic partner to jointly explore and implement investment initiatives aligned with Uzbekistan’s socio-economic development priorities in the coming period.”
Mr. Nguyen Viet Quang, Vice Chairman and CEO of Vingroup, shared: “Uzbekistan is a market with strong potential, supported by a clear development direction and an improving investment environment. Through this Memorandum of Understanding, Vingroup aims to gradually explore suitable cooperation opportunities and work alongside the Government of Uzbekistan in developing urban areas, sustainable transportation, and sectors that bring positive contributions to local communities.”
Uzbekistan holds a strategic position in Central Asia, with a growing economy and strong potential in urban development, infrastructure, tourism, and services. The Government of Uzbekistan is actively promoting reforms and attracting foreign investment to drive sustainable economic growth and international integration.
Vingroup is Vietnam’s leading private multi-sector corporation, operating across six core pillars: Industrials & Technology, Real Estate & Services, Infrastructure, Green Energy, Culture, and Social Enterprises, with the vision “To create a better life for people”. With its proven reputation, scale and capabilities, Vingroup is steadily expanding globally, contributing to elevate the global standing of Vietnamese enterprises.
Hashtag: #Vingroup
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Vietnam Is Shining, and Can Gio Is the Hidden Jewel Awaiting Its Moment
A year later, the landscape has morphed into something far more complex, rippling with tariff shocks, persistent inflation, rising bond yields, and growth downgrades across traditional economic powerhouses. The world feels as if it is moving through a narrow channel, buffeted by waves from every direction. And yet, amid all the noise, Asia has not only held its ground but stepped forward with a clarity and confidence that few regions can match.
Why Asia Now: A New Era of Resilience, Growth, and Opportunity
The forces shaping Asia’s rise have been gathering momentum for decades. What we are witnessing now is their convergence. Asia is not simply adapting to global volatility, it is redefining the foundations of resilience and growth. Its economies are becoming wealthier, stronger, and more self-reliant, and its real estate markets are revealing layers of opportunity that long-term investors have waited years to see.
The near-term picture, though challenged, underscores this resilience. Tariffs have uneven effects, and countries with strong domestic engines such as Australia are absorbing shocks with surprising ease.
But it is the longer horizon that illuminates Asia’s true arc. The region’s working-age population and middle class have expanded at a breathtaking pace, setting the stage for decades of consumption-led dynamism. Education levels are rising, service sectors are flourishing, and manufacturing capabilities are climbing the value chain.
Meanwhile, intra-Asia trade has quietly become the backbone of global commerce, with Asia-to-Asia routes now forming the largest share of world trade. As the region turns inward, not in isolation, but in self-reinforcing collaboration, Asia ex-China is projected to contribute more to global growth than the United States and Europe combined.
Real estate, often seen as a mirror for economic sentiment, is telling a similar story. Transaction volumes across Asia have been less volatile than those in Western markets, and pricing has remained more stable, offering a predictable return profile. Supply constraints, elevated construction costs, and a decade-low pricing position relative to long-term trends are creating what can only be described as an extraordinary entry window.
Why Capital is Flowing into Vietnam
If Asia’s trajectory could be captured in a single idea, it would be the beginning of a Value Uprising, a structural rise in long-term asset worth, powered by demographics, policy, and economic integration, rather than speculation.
From this continental narrative emerges Vietnam, a nation whose ascent is increasingly impossible to ignore. Over the past decade, Vietnam has transformed from a rising star into a gravitational force for global investors. Supply chain diversification has accelerated its role as a manufacturing and logistics nexus. Even with global tariffs shifting, Vietnam’s logistics sector continues to expand in sophistication, efficiency, and international relevance. Its demographic profile, marked by a median age years younger than China, offers a demographic dividend that many Asian economies have already spent. And as Southeast Asia’s digital backbone grows, Vietnam is stepping into the spotlight as one of the region’s next major data-center markets, a signifier of future industrial depth.
Ho Chi Minh City, in particular, has entered a new chapter. Its standing among Asia-Pacific cities for investment and development has climbed steadily, reflecting not only macroeconomic resilience but the confidence of global capital. It has become a symbolic frontier, an emerging metropolis where the contours of modern Asia are being redrawn.
At the heart of Vietnam’s momentum lies another extraordinary phenomenon: The consistent and rising flow of remittances. Vietnam ranks among the world’s top recipients, and Ho Chi Minh City alone welcomed over USD 9.46 billion in 2023, USD 9.6 billion in 2024, and more than USD 5.3 billion in the second quarter of 2025.
A remarkable portion of these funds, around one-fifth, finds its way into real estate. But this is not passive investment. It is a gesture of return, of building a future homeland, of preparing for business, family, and retirement. It is long-term capital with long-term intent.
Vinhomes Green Paradise: A Hidden Gem Poised to Shine in Vietnam’s Real Estate Market
Regulatory reform is reinforcing this trust. The revised Land Law and Real Estate Business Law offer stronger protections and broader rights for Vietnamese citizens, including those living abroad. In a period where global currencies fluctuate and deposit rates decline, investors are increasingly confronting a hard truth: Holding cash is, in many cases, a slow erosion of value. As economist Can Van Luc notes, the VND has lost 3.4 percent of its value in two years, even as the USD depreciated. Real estate, therefore, is not merely an alternative, it has become one of the few asset classes capable of preserving and multiplying value in real terms.
Against this backdrop, regions entering new cycles of infrastructure development are drawing accelerated capital inflows. And among them, one name rises above all others: Can Gio.
For decades, Can Gio stood quietly at the edge of Ho Chi Minh City, an ecological jewel, admired but distant. Today, it has become the most powerful symbol of Vietnam’s coastal urban future. Massive infrastructure investment is reshaping its accessibility, and yet its real estate prices remain a fraction of central districts. Compared to Phu My Hung, Can Gio’s price base is nearly half; compared to Districts 1 and 3, just one-fifth. The gap is not a discount, it is untapped potential waiting to be realized.
The emergence of Vinhomes Green Paradise has pushed this transformation into global consciousness. As the first official participant in the New7Wonders “7 Wonders of Future Cities” campaign, the project is channeling the same catalytic energy once witnessed in iconic developments. Internationally, such recognitions do not merely elevate prestige, they accelerate valuation cycles, attract global capital, and redefine a city’s future skyline.
With its one-of-a-kind geographic formation and proximity to Can Gio’s million-year-old biosphere reserve, Vinhomes Green Paradise stands as a once-in-a-century asset. It embodies scarcity in its purest form, an asset class that cannot be replicated, reshaped, or reborn elsewhere.
And that is where the narrative converges. Asia’s rise, Vietnam’s momentum, Ho Chi Minh City’s evolution, and Can Gio’s emergence are not isolated stories. Together, they form a new investment epoch characterized by structural uplift, demographic acceleration, and a rapidly expanding middle class. It is the era of the Value Uprising, a phase in which the forces of economics, policy, population, and global capital align to propel real estate into a new price horizon.
In moments like this, markets rarely wait. History shows that investors who move early define the benchmark for everyone who follows. The question is no longer whether Asia will rise, or whether Vietnam will lead, or whether Can Gio will transform. The question, now, is whether investors will seize a moment that may not return for another generation.
Sources:
https://www.hines.com/asia-real-estate-opportunity-in-the-midst-of-uncertainty
Hashtag: #Vinhomes
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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