From Leadership to Community in Penang
March opened on a strong note for SEMI Southeast Asia, as two complementary gatherings in Penang brought the industry together around both leadership and community. On 5 March 2026, SLS: Semiconductor Leadership Summit | Malaysia Edition convened stakeholders for an afternoon of forward-looking discussion, before the momentum carried into the SEMI SEA Members’ Networking Night later that evening. Together, the two events reflected something essential about this industry: progress depends not only on technology roadmaps and market direction, but also on the strength of the relationships that move the ecosystem forward.
At the Summit, the conversation centred on a timely and urgent theme: “Beyond Silicon: Power Management Leadership for an AI-Driven World.” As artificial intelligence reshapes data centres, edge computing and high-performance systems, the discussion rightly turned to the technologies and strategies needed to support a future defined by greater performance, energy efficiency, scalability and sustainability. The programme positioned advanced materials, new processing techniques and power management innovation not as peripheral topics, but as core enablers of the next wave of semiconductor leadership in Malaysia and across the region.
The strength of the Summit was also shaped by the calibre of voices on stage. Following welcome remarks by Mr. Andrew Goh, attendees heard from Dr. Ty McNutt of Wolfspeed, Mr. Goh Seng Lip of Soitec, Mr. Henry Chu of Advantest Malaysia and Dr. Shafiq Sukiman of onsemi, each bringing a distinct perspective to the broader conversation on power devices, engineered substrates, testing challenges and scalable power solutions. The panel discussion, moderated by Mr. CS Tan and joined by Dr. Ty McNutt, Mr. Goh Seng Lip, Dr. Shafiq Sukiman and Mr. Wilmer Ilmedo, extended that exchange by looking beyond individual technologies toward the wider ecosystem needed to support adoption, innovation and long-term growth.
If the Summit created space for strategic discussion, the SEMI SEA Members’ Networking Night created space for connection. Held later that same evening in Penang, the gathering brought members together for a more informal but equally meaningful programme built around networking, celebration and shared momentum. With a welcome speech by Ms. Linda Tan, followed by the New Member On Board Introduction, a toast, group photo, and an evening of networking over buffet, drinks and mini games, the event reflected the value of SEMI membership not only as an industry affiliation, but as a community.
A meaningful part of the evening was the recognition of SEMI Southeast Asia’s new member companies. We were pleased to welcome and acknowledge Asec Tech Sdn Bhd, B H S Kinetic Pte Ltd, BioEnergy Projects Sdn Bhd, CAPCON Singapore Pte. Ltd., GLVAC, JorVix Sdn Bhd, Kian Ho Pte Ltd, Kintetsu World Express, Lian Ee Hydraulics Pte Ltd, Maxwell Technology Pte. Ltd., Noah New Material Malaysia Sdn Bhd, STT Solutions Sdn Bhd, SYNAP Technology Pte. Ltd., Tektronix, VEXANIS Pte Ltd, and Welflow Premium Sdn Bhd. Their presence is a reminder that Southeast Asia’s semiconductor ecosystem continues to deepen and diversify, strengthened by companies across the value chain choosing to engage, contribute and grow together.
Events like these are made meaningful by the people who shape them. To all our speakers, moderators and panellists who contributed their insights at SLS, thank you. To our members — including those who joined us in Penang and those newly welcomed into the SEMI Southeast Asia community — thank you for helping create an evening defined by openness, energy and shared purpose. Together, these two March gatherings demonstrated that leadership is not confined to the stage, and that some of the industry’s most valuable momentum is built through conversation, connection and continued collaboration.
For companies exploring how they can benefit from joining SEMI membership, we welcome the conversation. From stronger industry connections and broader visibility to thought leadership opportunities, business matching, and deeper engagement with the wider semiconductor ecosystem, membership is designed to help companies participate more actively in the markets and discussions shaping the industry. To find out more, contact us at [email protected].
What began in Penang does not end there. The ideas exchanged at SLS and the relationships strengthened during Members’ Networking Night now carry forward into the region’s next major gathering point: SEMICON Southeast Asia, taking place 5–7 May 2026 at MITEC in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. As the industry continues to navigate transformation across technology, supply chains and talent, we look forward to continuing the conversation with the wider community there.
