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.

Governor, wife express condolences to the family of the late Dr Madeline Berma

KUCHING, Dec 30 2025: Sarawak Governor Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, his wife Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi and their family members expressed their condolences to the family of the late Professor Dr Madeline Berma who passed away today.

The governor said the passing of Dr Madeline is a great loss to Sarawak and the country, especially in the fields of academics, economic planning and social development.

“The late Dr Madeline, a Sarawakian, was known as a visionary scholar who contributed much thought and expertise in issues of economic development, poverty eradication, social inequality and public policy formulation at the state and national levels,” he said on his Facebook post.

“We express our condolences to her all family members and pray that they may be given strength and fortitude in facing this sad time,” Wan Junaidi said on his Facebook post.

Madeline, 64, died at her residence in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, at about 11.30 am today.

According to her nephew Basil Cliffton Calvert,  Madeline had been suffering from kidney disease and was undergoing dialysis treatment.

However, the cause of her death has not been confirmed.

She was a professor of economics at the Faculty of Economics and Management, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Her most recent positions were Member of the Sarawak Economic Action Council and Fellow of the Institute for the Future of Malaysia.

She was appointed Sarawak Commissioner to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).

Madeline was also the director of the Tun Fatimah Hashim Women's Leadership Centre,

National University of Malaysia.

She graduated with Bachelor of Economics, National University of Malaysia (1982), Master's Degree in Economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States (1986) and Doctor of Philosophy, University of Hull, United Kingdom (1997).

Sarawak has lost one of its finest daughters, says premier on the demise of Dr Madeline

KUCHING, Dec 30 2025: Premier Abang Johari Openg has expressed has expressed his deepest condolences to the family of the late Associate Professor Dr Madeline Berma on her untimely demise today. 

Caption: Premier Abang Johari expressing his deepest condolences to the family of the late Prof Dr Madeline Berma

He said the late economist  was a member of the Sarawak Economic Action Council (SEAC) that was formed in 2020 to facilitate Sarawak’s post Covid-19 exit economic strategy towards 2030 as contained in the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS 2030).

“Sarawak has lost one of its finest daughters who has contributed her expertise to ensure a sound economic future for the state,” Abang Johari, who is also SEAC chairman, said.

Madeline, 64, died at her residence in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, at about 11.30 am today.

According to her nephew Basil Cliffton Calvert,  Madeline had been suffering from kidney disease and was undergoing dialysis treatment.

However, the cause of her death has not been confirmed.

She was a professor of economics at the Faculty of Economics and Management, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Her most recent positions were Member of the Sarawak Economic Action Council and Fellow of the Institute for the Future of Malaysia.

She was appointed Sarawak Commissioner to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).

Madeline was also the director of the Tun Fatimah Hashim Women's Leadership Centre,

National University of Malaysia.

She graduated with Bachelor of Economics, National University of Malaysia (1982), Master's Degree in Economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States (1986) and Doctor of Philosophy, University of Hull, United Kingdom (1997)