ERIA Engages Malaysian Stakeholders on ASEAN Semiconductor Supply Chain Framework

Kuala Lumpur, 3 February 2026: ERIA, in collaboration with the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS), National University of Malaysia (UKM), convened the Dissemination Dialogue on the Priority Economic Deliverable: ASEAN Framework for Integrated Semiconductor Supply Chain (AFISS) at the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur.

The event brought together Malaysian stakeholders from government, industry, research institutions, and academia, including participants who had contributed to the development of AFISS during Malaysia's ASEAN Chairship last year.

The dialogue aimed to raise awareness of AFISS - a regional framework designed to enhance the resilience of ASEAN economies through deeper supply chain integration and a more competitive semiconductor industry - while advancing discussions on the prioritisation and future implementation of its proposed initiatives.

The event opened with remarks by Prof. Dato' Dr Sufian Jusoh, Vice-Chancellor of UKM, who underscored the role of higher education institutions in strengthening national semiconductor ecosystems through innovation, research, and talent development. Dr Han Phoumin, Senior Energy Economist at ERIA, set the context for the discussions by highlighting key geopolitical and geoeconomic forces shaping global semiconductor supply chains, ASEAN's positioning within regional value chains, and emerging policy imperatives for the region.

Mr Ardhana Tahriza Syarif, Research Associate at ERIA, and Dr Haris Zuan, Fellow at IKMAS UKM, introduced AFISS, which builds on policy directions outlined in the ERIA-IKMAS-led study. Conducted by both institutions in their capacity as official knowledge partners to the 2025 ASEAN Chairship, the joint study provides an evidence-based, ASEAN Member State-centred assessment of the region's semiconductor landscape.

The dialogue featured two roundtable discussions:

1. 'ASEAN and the Global Semiconductor Landscape: How the Past Year's Dynamics Have (Re)shaped the Region', moderated by Prof. Dr Azrul Azlan Hamzah of the Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics (IMEN), UKM. Discussions highlighted the need for ASEAN economies to move beyond value chain participation toward national ecosystem upgrading, supported by stronger regional coordination.
2. 'Strengthening Intra-ASEAN Semiconductor Linkages: Overcoming Challenges and Capitalising on Momentum', moderated by Prof. Dr Mohd Ambri Mohamed (IMEN, UKM). Participants emphasised the importance of translating AFISS into prioritised, project-based initiatives, underpinned by greater transparency, a shared understanding of ASEAN Member States' comparative strengths, and stronger industry leadership.

In closing, Datin Dr Intan M. Ramli, Senior Policy Fellow at ERIA, summarised key takeaways from the discussions and outlined next steps. Looking ahead, ERIA will co-develop the ASEAN Semiconductor Roadmap during the 2026 Philippine ASEAN Chairship, with a focus on investment-oriented actions and measurable milestones to strengthen ASEAN's position in the global semiconductor value chain and support regional ecosystem development.

Download the AFISS document here.

Photo credit: Centre for Corporate Communications UKM