With nearly RM2 billion in capital investment, TF AMD Microelectronics Sdn Bhd today announced its plans of expanding a new manufacturing facility at the Batu Kawan Industrial Park on the mainland.

The new facility, spanning 1.5 million square feet and occupying approximately 14 acres, will manufacture advanced integrated circuit technology and is expected to be completed in 2023.

The second site at BKIP, according to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, has greatly demonstrated the conduciveness of Penang’s business environment, bolstered by its resilient supply chain, excellent infrastructure and future-proof talent pool.

“As a pioneer in this field and ever since making its presence here in Penang in 1972, the state is pleased to see TF AMD deepening its roots here, which will open doors to multiple good things.

“With the wealth of knowledge and experience in the electrical and electronics (E&E) industry, I am confident that this strategic expansion plan will provide immense opportunities for local talent development in high-performance computing solutions.

“Having been a key industry player in developing the capacity and capability of Malaysia’s semiconductor ecosystem, TF AMD is also committed to establishing collaborative opportunities with local vendors and universities.

“Specifically, the company targets to employ two to three thousand new employees with science and technical backgrounds within the next five years as a means of developing the skills of local talents and vendors in the areas of Industry Revolution 4.0, automation and engineering services.

“The company’s efforts to build a strong talent pipeline through training programmes are expected to generate positive spillover effects on Penang’s talent pool,” Chow said during his speech at the TF AMD Microelectronics Sdn Bhd investment announcement ceremony in Bayan Lepas today.

He also added since 2016, the company has invested an approximate value of RM900 million in Malaysia.

It was also learnt that once the construction of the second site is completed, more than 3,000 new jobs in advanced semiconductor engineering, design and process technologies for high-performance computing solutions will be made available.

Company vice president and managing director Neoh Soon Ee said that once completed, the facility would bring TF AMD’s total manufacturing capacity to over 2.3 million square feet.

“This is an exciting day for TF AMD as it marks the beginning of a new chapter in our continuous pursuit of providing excellent support to our customers with differentiated high-value engineering solutions,” he said.

Company chairman Shi Ming Da, who witnessed the announcement virtually, said Malaysia is endowed with outstanding geographic location, a good business environment, diligent and sincere workforce.

“This is what strengthens our confidence for continuous investment in Malaysia,” he said.

Meanwhile, the company’s Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Datuk Devinder Kumar, said AMD has had outstanding growth in the last few years and TF AMD has played a key role as a strategic supplier and partner in supporting our growth.

“We are pleased with the expansion plans for assembly, test and packaging services of our joint venture TF AMD, which will further increase the capacity and supply to support AMD’s future growth,” he said.

On April 29, 2016, TongFu Microelectronics (TFME) acquired 85 per cent of AMD’s stake in two locations, namely AMD in Penang, Malaysia and AMD Suzhou, Jiangsu in China, and formed a joint venture called TF AMD Microelectronics (Penang) Sdn. Bhd.

Separately, Chow, during his speech, also spoke about how Penang’s trade performance improved greatly, seeing its exports climb 16% year-on-year in 2021, reaching its all-time high of RM364 billion.

“Notably, the E&E and semiconductor products dominated Penang’s exports, accounting for more than 70% of the state’s total.

“On the investment front, Penang topped and accounted for 41% of the country’s foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2021; with an all-time high of total approved manufacturing investment of RM76.2 billion,” he added.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

The Penang government has given its assurance that only high-tech industries will be sited at the proposed 339-hectare new industrial area, known as the Penang Technology Park, at Jalan Tun Hamdan Sheikh Tahir in Kepala Batas.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said although the Penang Technology Park would be developed by a private developer, the state government, through the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) and Invest Penang, would advise the developer on foreign investments in the said area.

“The new industrial area will involve the high-technology sector, similar to the one in Batu Kawan, where most of the companies are high-technology companies such as those in the semi-conductor, aerospace industry, medical devices manufacturing industry and others.

“The state government has also been made to understand by the developer that they have received commitments from the Finance Ministry and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) on incentive offers to companies and foreign investors intending to invest there,” he told newsmen here today.

On Saturday, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican had asked the state government for more information on its choice of industry, following public concerns that the construction of centralised labour quarters (CLQ) in the area could lead to an influx of unskilled foreign workers.

“We want an industry based on high technology because we do not want to depend on unskilled workers.

“Those workers are to be placed in the CLQ in the industrial area and it is easy to understand, (there will be an) influx of workers (from abroad),” he was quoted as saying after the launch of the eSports Youth Cabin.

Reezal Merican had said that he was against the CLQ and had also made his stand known to the Penang City Council mayor and the project developer.

Previously, residents from more than 10 housing estates near the project site had held a peaceful protest against the proposed construction of the CLQ in the area, which would result in the placement of thousands of foreign workers there.

They had claimed that the development should be moved to the Ara Kuda area in Tasek Gelugor, which is not too far away.

Elaborating, Chow said the development of the new industrial area would be on a 800-acre site which has been an industrial zone since 2004.

However, development by the private developer only began this year.

“The development of the new industrial area will balance industrial development between Seberang Prai and the island and turn Seberang Prai Utara (SPU) as an industrial area based on high-technology.

“Phase one will involve infrastructure development such as roads, drainage, water and electrical supply for the use of investors, which are expected to be completed by the end of this year.

“Phase two will involve the development of small and medium enterprises (SME) upon the completion of phase one,” he added.

Meanwhile, Chow said the development of the CLQ in the new industrial park area was one of the requirements needed to be provided to workers, regardless of whether they are foreign or local workers, in the industrial area.

“It is also a policy set by the Human Resources Ministry that needs to be adhered to where employers need to provide shelter for their employees.

“It is also to avoid social problems if foreign workers are placed in the area where locals stay, locals would not like to see a house inhabited by dozens of foreigners, so the construction of a CLQ can overcome this problem,” he said.

Source: NST Online

June 11 will go down as a memorable day for Penang as the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve received its recognition certificate after being listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) under its Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme last year.

Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Datuk Ali Biju presented the certificate to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow during the certificate handover ceremony at the Penang Hill upper station yesterday.

PHBR is the state’s second accolade from Unesco after George Town was accorded the Unesco World Heritage Site status in 2008.

Chow, when he announced the official Unesco listing for PHBR last year on Sept 16, said the approval came during the 33rd Session of the Man and Biosphere Programme International Coordinating Council (MAB-ICC) which was held in Abuja, Nigeria on Sept 15.

“With this recognition, the state government is determined to make Penang Hill and its surroundings the preferred eco-tourism destination for visitors, while creating a world-class learning site to explore and illustrate methods of conservation and sustainable development.

“I am confident with PHBR being managed by the Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) and supported by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (KeTSA), our sustainable forest resource management will only get better.

“This also includes the preservation and conservation of our nature.

“Also, not to forget the coordinated efforts and collaboration with The Habitat Group, learned academics from the Universiti Sains Malaysia and the various state and federal agencies,” Chow said during his speech.

It is learned that a PHBR office would be set up soon to initiate the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve Action Plan (PHBRAP), while managing other important matters.

PHBR encompasses three major ecosystems, namely the terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems.

It spans an area of 12,481 hectares, covering Penang Hill, Penang National Park, Penang Botanic Gardens, Teluk Bahang Dam, Air Itam Dam, and six permanent forest reserves which are Bukit Kerajaan Forest Reserve, Teluk Bahang Forest Reserve, Laksamana Forest Reserve, Penara Hill Forest Reserve, Highlands Forest Reserve and Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve as well as several water catchment areas on Penang island.

Meanwhile, Ali congratulated Penang and the relevant agencies involved in the much-deserved Unesco listing for PHBR.

“I believe collective efforts from various parties have helped make this recognition possible.

“This type of international recognition is not only something that brings pride to our country, but it shows how committed we are towards achieving biodiversity conservation and supporting our country’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“This PHBR recognition will certainly play a crucial role in attracting more tourists to Penang while enhancing the state’s economy,” he added.

Ali said that recently, KeTSA had approved an allocation of RM192,810 under the Biodiversity National Conservation Trust Fund for Natural Resources (NCTF) for PHC to expedite documentation works for PHBR.

PHC general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng said the recognition was the start of a super exciting journey ahead with all the parties involved.

“While there may be challenges along the way, I am sure the rewards will bring many smiles to everyone.

“We will continue to work hard to protect Penang’s biodiversity, heritage and culture, which we cannot afford to lose.

“The responsibility of protecting and conserving PHBR lies with everybody who utilises the natural resources and enjoys the natural assets of Penang,” he said.

Also, during the ceremony, PHBR’s new logo was unveiled.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

Arts, culture and heritage is one of the Penang’s key attractions as the state is set to have another art gallery in two years aside from the current one in Dewan Sri Pinang.

State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, who made the announcement, said an almost century-old government quarters in Sepoy Lines Road would be refurbished and transformed into an art gallery.

“It will be an extension from the current State Art Gallery that we have in Dewan Sri Pinang in town.

“We need to have an additional art gallery to cater to the current one.

“Art, culture and heritage is considered to be an important element for the state apart from the manufacturing industry.

“In fact, we have seen numerous art galleries in European countries. They are all well known and established galleries, which are famous for its artworks.

The staircases leading to the upper floor of the government quarters.

“In Penang, we hope to create a milestone and lift the art, cultural and heritage industry to greater heights,” said Yeoh, who is also the Penang State Museum Board chairman, during a press conference at the government quarters today.

The government quarters, which is near to the office of Penang Football Association (FAP), was built in 1920s.

It had been the quarters to many government servants, including the state accountant officer from 2005 to 2012.

It has since been left vacant till now.

State Museum and Art Gallery director Haryany Mohamad said the building was in good condition and merely needed a refurbishment.

“This will be another venue for art gallery and we hope to showcase the growing interest of art in the state.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

Sean Tan, also known as the Real Estate Guy, has been in the real estate industry in Malaysia for many years. Over time, he came to a realization that there is a gap in the industry in terms of information and knowledge. Thus, iherng born, and his YouTube channel has been helping many to bridge that gap and helping young Malaysians in embarking onto their real estate investment journey.

In his visit to Penang, Hunza Properties have invited him exclusively for a sharing session right here at the heart of Penang International Commercial City (PICC) where he will be checking on the local property market with Dato’ Lily Tan of Hunza Properties Group.

The special broadcast will be going live at PICC-Penang’s Facebook page on 15th June 2022 (Wednesday) at 9 PM. The live will also be broadcasted here so mark your calendars as Sean and Dato’ Lily will be sharing plenty of exclusive insights and many more!

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