Malaysia capability map
Malaysia's semiconductor, electronics, precision engineering and automation base, and how it connects to embodied AI.
Last updated 8 October 2026 · Methodology
The base
A semiconductor and automation economy ready for robotics
Humanoid robots are built from chips, sensors, motors, precision parts and automation know-how. Malaysia already makes most of these for the global electronics and automotive industries.
RM711.6bn
Electrical and electronics exports in 2025, 44.3% of all exports.
MITI Trade Performance 2025RM58.0bn
Approved investment from China in 2025, the second-largest source after Singapore.
MIDA Investment Performance 2025Capabilities
Malaysian companies by capability
From public sources. Naming is not endorsement; see the methodology.
| Capability | Companies |
|---|---|
| Automation & test equipment | |
| Semiconductor & electronics | |
| Robot manufacturer | |
| Contract manufacturer | |
| Precision engineering | |
| Materials & batteries |
By state
Industrial clusters
- PEN
Penang
The core of Malaysia’s chip assembly, test and packaging industry and its densest cluster of automation, test-equipment and precision engineering firms. RM32.9 billion approved investment in 2025.
ViTrox, Pentamaster, Greatech, UWC, SAM, Intel, Micron, Bosch, Lam Research, Trensor, RIGOL
- JOH
Johor
Led all states with RM110.0 billion approved investment in 2025, mostly in the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone.
DF Automation & Robotics, JStar Motion, STMicroelectronics (Muar), AI cleaning robots (Senai)
- SEL
Selangor & Kuala Lumpur
RM83.9 billion approved investment in Selangor in 2025. Home to automation firms, semiconductor plants and AGIBOT’s first overseas experience centre.
Genetec, QES, NXP, Texas Instruments, DOBOT Malaysia, MRANTI Park
- KED
Kedah
Power semiconductors and batteries in Kulim. RM27.8 billion approved investment in 2025; part of the planned northern semiconductor hub.
Infineon, EVE Energy
- PER
Perak
Automotive manufacturing at Tanjung Malim and precision engineering in Taiping.
Proton–Geely Automotive Hi-Tech Valley, BYD, UWC
- PAH
Pahang
Rare-earth processing at Gebeng.
Lynas Malaysia
China in Malaysia
Chinese robotics and component firms in Malaysia
- CN
AgiBot (Zhiyuan Robotics)
Opened its first overseas AI World Experience Centre at i-City, Shah Alam, in January 2026. In September 2026 the Prime Minister announced a potential RM1 billion AGIBOT investment by 2035.
- CN
DOBOT
Opened DOBOT Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur in July 2025.
- CN
EVE Energy
Opened a lithium battery plant in Kedah in December 2024.
- CN
JStar Motion (Jiecang)
Invested RM300 million in linear actuator plants in Kulai, Johor (2023).
- CN
RIGOL Technologies
Test instrument plant and R&D centre in Penang, over RM100 million (2024).
- CN
Trensor
RM100 million automated pressure sensor plant in Bertam, Penang, its first outside China (announced May 2025).
In August 2026 the Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry asked MARii to study how Malaysia’s roughly 730 automotive vendors could enter the humanoid robot supply chain. No formal programme exists yet.
Policy & incentives
Government support for automation and AI
Check eligibility and current terms with MIDA before applying.
- 2025
Budget 2026: AI and mechanisation
In forceIncentive · 10 Oct 2025
About RM5.9 billion for AI, RM20 million for palm oil mechanisation and automation start-ups, RM500 million in BPMB loans for E&E, and an extra tax deduction for SME AI training.
- 2024
National AI Office
In forceNational policy · 12 Dec 2024
Launched under the Digital Ministry to coordinate national AI policy, regulation and adoption.
- 2024
National Semiconductor Strategy
In forceNational policy · 28 May 2024
At least RM25 billion in fiscal support, a goal to attract RM500 billion of investment and to train or upskill 60,000 high-skilled engineers, building Malaysian chip design and advanced packaging firms.
- Ongoing
Industry4WRD Intervention Fund
In forceIncentive · Ongoing
70:30 matching grant of up to RM500,000 for SMEs that have completed the Industry4WRD Readiness Assessment.
- 2023
New Industrial Master Plan 2030
In forceNational policy · 1 Sept 2023
Mission-based industrial plan targeting manufacturing value-added of RM587.5 billion, 3.3 million jobs and 3,000 smart factories. 93 smart factories had been recognised by June 2026.
- YA 2023–2027
Automation Capital Allowance
In forceIncentive · YA 2023–2027
200% capital allowance on the first RM10 million of qualifying automation spending in manufacturing, services and agriculture. MIDA reviews applications with SIRIM.
- 2021–2030
National Policy on Science, Technology and Innovation 2021–2030
In forceNational policy · 2021–2030
Sets national direction for science, technology and innovation, including a target of 3.5% of GDP for R&D spending by 2030.
- 2021–2030
National Robotics Roadmap 2021–2030
In forceNational policy · 2021–2030
Aims to make Malaysia a regional robotics hub in services, agriculture and manufacturing by 2030, raising robot density from 55 to 195 per 10,000 workers, through 5 strategic thrusts, 19 strategies and 24 initiatives.
Sources
- MIDA, May 2024. mida.gov.my
- MITI Trade Performance 2025. miti.gov.my
- MIDA Investment Performance 2025. mida.gov.my
- MIDA, May 2024. mida.gov.my
- MIDA, Malaysia Investment Performance 2025 fact sheet, Mar 2026. mida.gov.my
- The Star, humanoid robots and local auto suppliers, Aug 2026. thestar.com.my
- The Star, Budget 2026 highlights. thestar.com.my
- MyDIGITAL, NAIO launch. mydigital.gov.my
- MIDA, National Semiconductor Strategy. mida.gov.my
- MIDA, Industry4WRD Intervention Fund. mida.gov.my
- The Vibes, NIMP 2030 targets. thevibes.com
- RTM, smart factory progress. berita.rtm.gov.my
- MIDA, Automation Capital Allowance guideline. mida.gov.my
- The Edge, National Robotics Roadmap targets. theedgemalaysia.com
- MASTIC, National Robotics Roadmap. mastic.mosti.gov.my