Deputy investment, trade and industry minister Liew Chin Tong has called on Asean countries to deepen collaboration in the semiconductor industry, saying the region must work as partners rather than competitors to stay relevant in a rapidly changing global landscape.
Speaking at the 9th Asean Media Forum 2025 here, Liew said Southeast Asian countries share more commonalities than differences and should pool their strengths in technology and manufacturing.
“Between 2001 and 2020, we were told by corporations to match China‘s prices,” he said.
“But today, the world is no longer only looking for the cheapest source. Companies are now prioritising resilience and risk management.”
Liew said global supply chains have changed dramatically, with companies now appointing chief risk officers to safeguard their operations.
This shift, he said, presents Asean with the opportunity to position itself as a resilient and reliable hub for semiconductor manufacturing and supply.
According to Liew, countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam are already recognised globally for their advanced semiconductor industries, with European delegations frequently including industry leaders when visiting the region.
“Whenever European leaders visit, their itineraries always include stops in Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam – these are the ‘places’ when it comes to semiconductors,” he said.
Liew said cross-border collaborations, such as Malaysia-Singapore or Malaysia-Indonesia semiconductor partnerships, are key to developing homegrown technology champions that can move Asean from being mere manufacturers to becoming innovators and solution providers.
On global tensions, he warned that the ongoing US-China technology decoupling risks fragmenting global progress.
“Both sides may want to decouple, but it’s not in our interest, nor in the interest of the EU, Africa, or Latin America. Asean and the EU must work together to prevent technology bifurcation,” he said.
Liew envisioned Asean as the “champion of middle technology” – a trusted and neutral technology hub accepted by all sides.
“As long as Asean, particularly Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam, can build a reputation as a trusted semiconductor source … we can weather the storms of geopolitical tension,” he said.
