Malaysia chip industry seeks bigger R&D and automation incentives

01The Story新闻事实

Malaysia’s semiconductor industry has urged the government to strengthen reinvestment, R&D, automation and talent incentives in Budget 2027. The Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association proposed raising the automation allowance limit, introducing broader R&D support and easing access to specialised foreign talent as global competition for investment and capabilities intensifies.马来西亚半导体业敦促政府在2027年预算案中加强再投资、研发、自动化和人才激励措施。马来西亚半导体工业协会建议提高自动化资本津贴上限、扩大研发支持，并在全球投资和人才竞争加剧之际，放宽对专业外国人才的获取。

Malaysia recorded RM16.9 billion in approved investments in the semiconductor subsector in 2025.马来西亚半导体子行业在2025年获得批准的投资额为169亿令吉。
MSIA proposed raising the qualifying expenditure limit under the Automation Capital Allowance to RM100 million from RM10 million.MSIA建议将自动化资本津贴的合资格支出上限从1000万令吉提高至1亿令吉。
The association proposed a 200% tax deduction for qualifying semiconductor and E&E research and development expenditure.该协会建议对符合条件的半导体和电气电子行业研发支出提供200%的税务扣除。
MSIA called for greater flexibility in using HRD Corp levies, with a proposed allocation of 65% for company-led training, 15% for industry-led programmes and 20% for localisation and capability development.MSIA建议更灵活使用人力资源发展机构（HRD Corp）征费，并提议将65%用于企业主导培训、15%用于行业主导项目、20%用于本地化和能力发展。
Budget 2027 is scheduled to be tabled on Oct 9, according to the source.据报道，2027年预算案定于10月9日提交。

The industry is seeking policies that support not only new semiconductor investment but also reinvestment, higher-value activities and domestic capability building.该行业寻求的政策不仅要吸引新的半导体投资，也要支持再投资、更高附加值活动和本土能力建设。

024 Dimensions维度分析

Comparison对比

Scaling automation support扩大自动化支持

MSIA said the existing automation allowance limit does not reflect the scale of advanced manufacturing investments in semiconductors and E&E. It proposed increasing the qualifying expenditure ceiling tenfold.MSIA表示，现有自动化津贴上限无法反映半导体和电气电子行业先进制造投资的规模，并建议将合资格支出上限提高十倍。

Current automation allowance limit现行自动化津贴上限

Current proposal context当前提案背景10 RM million

The proposed increase targets automation and advanced manufacturing investments in the semiconductor and E&E industries.这项加码建议针对半导体和电气电子行业的自动化及先进制造投资。

Future signal前瞻信号

Moving R&D up the value chain推动研发迈向价值链高端

The association wants broader tax and grant support for engineering, design, innovation and technology development. It also proposed shared R&D infrastructure and stronger collaboration between industry and universities.该协会希望扩大对工程、设计、创新和技术开发的税务及拨款支持，并提出建设共享研发基础设施、加强产业与大学合作。

Proposed R&D tax deduction建议的研发税务扣除

200 %200%

Budget 2027 proposal2027年预算案建议

MSIA proposed targeted semiconductor and E&E R&D grants.MSIA建议提供针对半导体和电气电子行业的研发拨款。
The association also proposed expanding semiconductor incubators and shared R&D and testing facilities.该协会还建议扩大半导体孵化器以及共享研发和测试设施。

Stakeholder impact利益相关方

Talent and capability development人才与能力发展

MSIA proposed reallocating HRD Corp levies toward company and industry training, localisation and capability development. It also sought easier access to specialised foreign talent and permission for eligible international graduates to work in Malaysia for up to two years.MSIA建议将HRD Corp征费更多用于企业和行业培训、本地化及能力发展，并要求更便捷地引进专业外国人才，同时允许符合条件的国际毕业生在马来西亚工作最长两年。

Company-led training allocation企业主导培训分配比例

Proposed HRD Corp levy allocation建议的HRD Corp征费分配65 %

Proposed HRD Corp levy allocation建议的HRD Corp征费分配15 %

Proposed HRD Corp levy allocation建议的HRD Corp征费分配20 %

MSIA said specialised foreign talent should be subject to knowledge-transfer requirements where local expertise is insufficient.MSIA表示，在本地专业能力不足的领域，引进专业外国人才应配合知识转移要求。

Cause因果关系

From attracting investment to retaining it从吸引投资转向留住投资

The industry wants a differentiated, lifecycle-based incentive framework covering new strategic investors, existing companies expanding in Malaysia and Malaysian-owned companies seeking international growth.该行业希望建立差异化、覆盖企业生命周期的激励框架，涵盖新的战略投资者、在马来西亚扩张的现有企业，以及寻求国际发展的马来西亚企业。

MSIA said companies already operating in Malaysia should be encouraged to reinvest, expand and move into higher-value activities.MSIA表示，应鼓励已经在马来西亚运营的企业再投资、扩张并转向更高附加值活动。
The association cited intensifying global competition for investment, technology and talent.该协会指出，全球对投资、技术和人才的竞争正在加剧。

03Timeline时间线

2025 Malaysia recorded RM16.9 billion in approved investments in the semiconductor subsector.马来西亚半导体子行业获得批准的投资额达到169亿令吉。
2026-10-04 MSIA released its Budget 2027 recommendations for Malaysia’s semiconductor industry.MSIA公布了针对马来西亚半导体行业的2027年预算案建议。
2026-10-09 Budget 2027 is scheduled to be tabled.2027年预算案计划提交。

Key takeaway核心结论

MSIA’s proposals would broaden Malaysia’s semiconductor policy focus from attracting projects to building automation, R&D, talent and reinvestment capacity.MSIA的建议将使马来西亚半导体政策重点从吸引项目扩大到建设自动化、研发、人才和再投资能力。

04What to Watch后续关注

Whether Budget 2027 adopts or modifies the proposed RM100 million automation allowance limit.2027年预算案是否采纳或调整1亿令吉的自动化津贴上限建议。
Whether the government introduces broader R&D tax deductions, grants or shared facilities for semiconductor and E&E companies.政府是否为半导体和电气电子企业推出更广泛的研发税务扣除、拨款或共享设施。
Whether rules for specialised foreign talent and eligible international graduates are eased as proposed.专业外国人才及符合条件的国际毕业生相关规定是否按建议放宽。
Whether incentives are differentiated for new investors, existing companies expanding locally and Malaysian-owned firms pursuing international growth.新投资者、在马扩张的现有企业和寻求国际发展的马来西亚企业是否获得差异化激励。

05Uncertainties不确定因素

The source reports industry recommendations; it does not state which proposals the government will adopt.报道介绍的是行业建议，并未说明政府将采纳哪些提案。
The source does not specify the fiscal cost or implementation timetable for the proposed incentives.报道未说明相关激励措施的财政成本或实施时间表。
The impact of any talent-policy changes will depend on how knowledge-transfer and eligibility requirements are defined.人才政策调整的影响将取决于知识转移和资格条件如何界定。

06Sources信息来源

Chip industry seeks bigger R&D, automation incentives in Budget 2027Chip industry seeks bigger R&D, automation incentives in Budget 2027 The Edge Malaysia · 2026-10-04

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