Malaysia eyes nearly RM800 billion in electronics exports in 2026
Semiconductors account for about 65% of the country’s electrical and electronics exports
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[KUALA LUMPUR] Malaysia’s electrical and electronics (E&E) exports, which includes semiconductors, could exceed RM800 billion (S$253 billion) this year, according to the nation’s chip industry chief.
E&E exports climbed to RM711 billion in 2025 after hitting 601 billion ringgit the year before. “I don’t see that slowing down, I see that continuing. In fact, the number could be higher” this year, Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association president Wong Siew Hai said.
Semiconductors account for about 65 per cent of Malaysia’s electrical and electronics exports.
The forecast will likely be achieved despite higher cost pressures on semiconductor manufacturing due to the war in Iran, which has driven up the price of helium. Still, production has not been impacted, Wong said, and Malaysian chip companies are “so far doing well” while navigating geopolitical tensions, tariff pressures, and a strong ringgit.
Wong said that Malaysia has a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to fulfil demand, describing the South-east Asian nation as a good location that can serve both US and China markets, as it seeks to move up the semiconductor supply chain.
Wong also talked up Malaysia’s prospects of attracting Japanese semiconductor investments to help fill some supply chain gaps in the South-east Asian country.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is in Japan on a three-day visit through tomorrow. BLOOMBERG
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