KULIM: Malaysia has emerged as the top investment destination for German electrical and electronics (E&E) industry players.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the country's strong ecosystem for the industry has positioned it as a global hub for the front-end of E&E sectors.

"In this region, Germany has virtually chosen Malaysia as its priority over other countries.

"This advantage is not just due to the prime minister, it stems from an ecosystem that has been in place since the 1980s in Malaysia," he said during his keynote address at an engagement session with E&E industry stakeholders here.

Anwar said, despite differing political views between Malaysia and Germany on international conflicts, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has firmly supported the significant investment by German E&E giant Infineon Technologies in Kulim.

"When I met Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the issue that was raised was my differing stance on Gaza. However, he strongly supports Infineon's substantial investment here.

"Even though he joked with me, saying Infineon should expand its facilities in Germany, he assured me that his government fully encourages and supports this investment," he added.

Earlier, Anwar opened the first phase of Infineon Technologies AG's new power fabrication plant in Malaysia, which is set to become the world's largest and most competitive 200mm silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductor plant.

Infineon chief executive officer Jochen Hanebeck said the first phase of the Kulim 3 plant, located in the Kulim High-Tech Park (KHTP), is part of a €5 billion (RM25 billion) investment plan over the next five years, following the announcement of a second phase of its module three construction last year.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/08/1088541/anwar-msia-leading-investment-hub-german-electronics-electrical-firms