Kuala Lumpur, 15 September 2025 — The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) has reaffirmed its commitment to equipping Malaysia’s younger generation with the skills and job opportunities needed in the high-technology sectors, as part of a broader effort to drive national reindustrialisation and digital transformation.
Speaking at the Youth Empowerment Fair themed “Empowering Youth in the Digital Workforce”, MITI Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz outlined how government policies — particularly the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030 and the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS) — are central to reshaping Malaysia’s industrial landscape. These strategies do more than set goals; they are designed to actively push industries toward embracing digitalisation and high-tech innovation.
Tengku Zafrul emphasised that the “Made in Malaysia” label should reflect not just manufacturing capability, but also quality, innovation and future relevance. By doing so, Malaysia aims to create “high-value jobs of the future,” he said.
Three Pillars: Industrial Development, Investment Promotion, Trade
The minister laid out three core pillars underpinning the initiative:
- Industrial Development: MITI is working to ensure industrial firms adopt advanced technologies, robotics, and AI. The NSS alone aims to train 60,000 highly skilled engineers specifically for Malaysia’s semiconductor industry. The plan also includes establishing digital hubs via organisations such as the Malaysia Automotive Robotics and Internet of Things Institute (MARii), which will prepare youth for careers in data analytics, automation, and other tech-driven roles.
- Investment Promotion: By attracting both domestic and international investment in technology-intensive fields, MITI hopes to expand opportunities for young Malaysians. Emphasis will be placed on industries in semiconductor manufacturing, generative AI, robotics, and mobility sectors — areas identified as growth engines for both jobs and innovation.
- International Trade: To sustain high-tech career growth, Malaysia must remain competitive globally. MITI aims to push industries to adopt international best practices, standards, and productivity benchmarks so that local products and services can perform well in export markets. Tengku Zafrul said these trade policies are closely tied to creating career pathways for STEM graduates.
Education, Training, & Talent Pipeline
Beyond strategy documents, real programmes are being rolled out. The Engineering Talent for Semiconductor Industry programme, jointly led by CREST (Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science and Technology) and HRD Corp, offers structured internships and specialised training to ensure the workforce can meet the technical demands of cutting-edge manufacturing and R&D.
In addition, MARii’s new digital hubs are being established to upskill youth in robotics, AI and connectivity technologies — particularly in sectors like mobility and automotive, which are expected to see deep disruptions and opportunities in the coming years.
Malaysia’s Vision for AI, Innovation & a High-Income Future
Looking further ahead, Tengku Zafrul expressed a bold ambition: to make Malaysia a generative artificial intelligence (AI) hub by 2030, integrating AI across the economy so that the country isn’t merely using technologies, but helping to create and innovate them.
He made clear that these efforts are not just the work of MITI alone. Collaboration between government agencies, the education sector, industry players, and young professionals will be essential in realising the vision. Tengku Zafrul also urged young Malaysians, especially STEM graduates, to seize the opportunities being created.
“Policymakers like MITI have been laying the foundations and providing opportunities; they are yours for the taking. And we fervently hope you will apply your talent, energy and ambition to these opportunities, to help shape a more progressive future for Malaysia,” he said.
