The Global Electronics Association (formerly IPC, short for Institute of Printed Circuits) has opened a regional hub in Bayan Lepas, Penang, to support the electronics and electrical (E&E) industry across Malaysia and Southeast Asia region. Located within the National Technology and Innovation Centre (NTIC) facility, the new office has been operational since January 2026.
Malaysia was selected for its established role in global E&E manufacturing, semiconductor ecosystem, and ongoing shift toward higher-value production activities.
Global Electronics Association Strengthens SEA Presence
Since opening, the Malaysia office has delivered more than 200 in-house and classroom training sessions across Penang, Selangor, Melaka, Kulim, and Johor Bahru; the programs cover PCB assembly, semiconductor processes, quality control, inspection, and smart factory practices. Both the Workforce Skill Development Training Program and the IPC Standards Gap Analysis are claimable under HRD Corp, making them accessible to eligible Malaysian businesses.
The Association has also initiated local standards development through a Malaysia Standards Development Committee, drawing participation from the EMS, wire harness, semiconductor, PCB, and electronics manufacturing sectors. A current active workstream covers guidelines for polytube harness assembly.
On the advanced packaging front, an earlier consortium workshop in Penang drew more than 200 participants and contributed to the formation of the Malaysia Advanced Packaging Consortium (MAPC). A memorandum of understanding with MIMOS Berhad further supports collaboration on advanced electronic packaging, chiplets, and heterogeneous integration.
To extend Malaysia’s connectivity within global electronics supply chains, the Association plans to build on the Integrated Electronics Manufacturing and Interconnections (IEMI) Malaysia 2027 platform. The event is intended to facilitate business engagement, technical exchange, and sourcing discussions between Malaysian manufacturers and regional and global partners.
Pokdepinion: For all the attention Taiwan, South Korea and US have in the semiconductor industry, Malaysia plays a hidden but equally important role in keeping the industry humming along.
