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Hi readers,
Do you love being a Debbie Downer? I don’t. But it seems that when covering Malaysia, you either become one or you ignore the bad – and perhaps real – news and default to being a hype man chugging on Kool-Aid and snacking on toxic positivity.
Ever since Malaysia’s semiconductor industry caught the attention of the media, particularly the international press, there has been a steady flow of positive coverage in that field.
Everyone – including funny accounts on LinkedIn and YouTube – hopped on the bandwagon and took up the same script: that Malaysia has quietly been building its semiconductor capacity for years; that the country, under a new and stable government, is now eager to turn its fortunes around; and that challenges such as brain drain and talent shortage remain.
If you’ve been keeping an eye on Malaysia, these things are probably not new to you. The country has not been quietly building its semiconductor industry, which has, in fact, been around for years now. It’s just that one bothered, or at least people weren’t incentivized to take notice.
Malaysia may have a stable government, but recent events, which I cover in the column, point to a mismatch between ambition and policy.
As for the issue of brain drain, this will remain until something is done to ensure that Malaysia is not only a talent hub but also an equitable space where affirmative action policies are in place in the interest of the majority.
Don’t get me wrong; Malaysia has what it takes to be a tech hub. No one is against that. And no, I’m not going to regale you with the country’s “good food.” Malaysia has everything in place, from basic public infrastructure to a talented workforce.
Heck, it is not even hit by major natural disasters such as earthquakes, which are a problem in major tech hubs like Taiwan.
But it has its own set of problems that needs to be addressed. Certain attitudes and approaches in government and government-linked companies need rethinking.
And here’s a tip for you: The next time someone boasts about Malaysia, especially a foreign investor or VC, ask them: “Have you personally invested in a Malaysian company?”
If the answer you get is anything other than a hard yes, that person isn’t serious. Or, they are probably aiming at Malaysian government money.
— Emmanuel Samarathisa, journalist at Tech in Asia
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