Special Advisor Appointments and Strategic MoU Mark Major Milestones
The Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation (Sidec) commemorated its 10th anniversary with a grand celebration, marking a decade of driving digital transformation and entrepreneurial growth in Selangor.
The milestone event was officiated by YAB Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari, Dato’ Menteri Besar Selangor, and attended by government leaders, corporate stakeholders, technology partners, and international guests. In his address, the Menteri Besar reaffirmed the Selangor State Government’s commitment to advancing digital economy initiatives and strengthening Selangor’s role as a regional technology hub.
The evening featured a retrospective video on Sidec’s decade-long journey, highlighting its pivotal role in supporting over 70,000 Techpreneurs, SMEs and Startups, and generated over RM736.12 million in GMV, initiated more than 80 programmes and initiatives, and launching key initiatives including the Malaysia Semiconductor IC Design Park and global accelerator missions.
A key highlight of the celebration was the appointment of three distinguished figures as advisors to bolster Sidec’s direction in innovation, talent development, and regional leadership in the digital economy:
- YBhg Dato' Lai Yit Loong, Former VP of NVIDIA Corp and Foxconn, has been appointed as Advisor to both the Malaysia Semiconductor IC Design Park and the Advanced Semiconductor Academy of Malaysia (ASEM), focusing on talent cultivation and cross-border collaboration in semiconductor technology and manufacturing.
- YBrs. Pn. Nurul Izzah Anwar, Executive Chairman of Polity, has been appointed as Advisor to Sidec Sdn Bhd, bringing valuable insights in public policy, socio-economic development, and digital empowerment.
- Dr. Chiang Shang-Yi, Director at Foxconn and former Co-COO of TSMC, joins as Advisor to the Malaysia Semiconductor IC Design Park and ASEM, offering deep expertise in global semiconductor innovation and industry advancement.
These appointments mark a strategic milestone in reinforcing Selangor’s position as a regional innovation hub and in accelerating Malaysia’s competitiveness in the semiconductor sector.
In conjunction with the celebration, Sidec was honoured to host Dr. Chiang Shang-Yi, a legendary figure and veteran in the global semiconductor industry, during his visit to Malaysia. In a special sharing session, Dr. Chiang offered invaluable insights on Malaysia’s role within the global semiconductor landscape, highlighting the critical importance of cross-border collaboration, strategic talent development, and strong public-private partnerships in driving the nation’s future in high-tech innovation.
The evening also celebrated the first cohort of graduates from the Global Semiconductor Exchange Program (GSEP), a two-month international training initiative under ASEM. Held in Shenzhen, China, the programme equipped 30 selected participants — chosen from 343 applicants — with practical skills in Digital IC Design, including EDA toolchains, Verilog HDL, and system-level verification. Participants also gained industry exposure through visits to leading tech organisations including HONOR, Reexen Technology, the National IC Innovation Center, and the 9th World Drone Conference. The GSEP initiative reflects Selangor’s long-term commitment to building a globally competitive semiconductor talent pipeline.
The celebration also witnessed the signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sidec, Permodalan Negeri Selangor Berhad (PNSB), and Artem Ventures, formalising the establishment of the Selangor Semiconductor Fund (SSF) — Malaysia’s first state-led venture capital initiative dedicated to accelerating the growth of the national semiconductor industry. Anchored by the Selangor State Government through Sidec and PNSB, and co-managed with Artem Ventures, the SSF aims to support high-potential startups and scaleups in IC design, AI chips, and advanced semiconductor solutions.
These milestones not only celebrate Sidec’s journey over the past decade but also signal the beginning of a new chapter—one focused on global collaboration, deep tech innovation, and building a resilient digital economy. As Selangor continues to lead Malaysia’s transformation into a high-tech nation, Sidec remains committed to empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs, technologists, and innovators.
