SMD Semiconductor to give priority to execution and impact on MoUs and collaborations in 2026, says its CEO

KUCHING, Dec 31 2025: Sarawak Microelectronics Design (SMD) Semiconductor Sdn Bhd (SMD Semiconductor), is to give priority to execution and impact by ensuring that MoUs and collaborations are materialised into active projects in 2026, its chief execurtive officer Shariman Jamil said in his Year End’s message.

Caption: CEO Shariman Jamil says SMD Semiconductor has achieved key milestones in 2025
 

He said this is to ensure that its technologies find real users and customers, and that its design and engineering services generate sustainable revenue to support long-term capability growth.

“As we enter 2026, let us return with renewed focus, commitment and energy, ready to raise our standards, support one another and take SMD to the next stage of growth together,” he said.

He said  equally important is strong domestic confidence, adding:”We hope to see greater utilisation of Made-by Sarawak technologies and services across state and federal agencies.

“Local adoption builds credibility, strengthens ecosystems and enables Sarawak and Malaysia to present a more compelling and trusted semiconductor proposition on the global stage.

“In the coming year, we will continue strengthening engineering capabilities and deepening collaborations across government, industry and academia.

“Through these collective efforts, we aim to contribute meaningfully to positioning Sarawak on the global stage of the semiconductor industry in a manner that is responsible, trusted and future-ready. Semiconductors are built over decades, not years,” he said.

Shariman said SMD Semiconductor, state-owned  chip designer, has achieved several key milestones in the year 2025, one of which is that SMD has established the R&D Innovation Hub with CSA Catapult in Wales, strengthening its international research and development collaboration.

“We also demonstrated the AI-enabled power converter technology at Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona and advanced further collaboration initiatives with CSA Catapult in the United Kingdom to support system-level integration and technology innovation,” Shariman said.

“This year, too, SMD launched keteq.GaN prototypes during Microelectronics UK in London, continued development work in compound semiconductors and power electronics, and organised the first SMD IC Design Competition and second IC Design Make-A-Thon, reinforcing our commitment to building a strong and industry-relevant talent pipeline.

“In parallel, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with South Korea Rebellions Inc. to explore collaboration opportunities aligned with trusted and sovereign AI systems,”  he said.

He stressed these developments build on earlier foundations since SMD’s establishment in 2022, including the opening of SMD’s Chip Design Centre and Academy and the growth of its IC design services and industry partnerships.

“Together, they reflect a deliberate progression from foundational capability to technology development, talent formation and international collaboration.

“This progress would not have been possible without the strong and consistent support of the Sarawak state government and the federal government,” he added.

He believed that the stability, policy clarity and long-term commitment shown by both levels of government have created a conducive environment for advanced technology development.