Malaysia Unveils First Homegrown AI Chip, Revenue Doubles

Malaysia just joined the exclusive club of nations designing their own artificial intelligence processors, and the achievement comes from a company founded by a homegrown engineering graduate.

SkyeChip, a Penang-based semiconductor design firm led by Dato' Swee Kiang (SK) Fong, introduced the MARS1000 in 2025. The Edge AI processor is Malaysia's first domestically developed AI chip, a milestone that positions the country alongside tech powerhouses in advanced semiconductor innovation.

Fong graduated with first class honors in electrical engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia before spending over 30 years in the global semiconductor industry. He held leadership roles at Intel, Broadcom, and Altera Corporation, and played a key role in establishing Intel's Design Center in Malaysia, which helped build the country's semiconductor talent pipeline.

After decades working for multinational corporations, Fong returned home to launch SkyeChip, specializing in high-performance computing and AI chip design. The company's growth has been remarkable: revenue jumped from RM57.2 million in 2023 to RM119.5 million in 2025.

The timing couldn't be better. Edge AI processors, which enable artificial intelligence to run directly on devices rather than in cloud data centers, are increasingly critical for everything from smartphones to autonomous vehicles. The global demand for AI-driven semiconductor solutions continues to surge as more industries adopt intelligent technologies.

The Ripple Effect

Fong hasn't forgotten where his engineering journey started. He regularly returns to UTM to deliver seminars to undergraduate students, sharing insights from his decades in the industry. In 2022, SkyeChip and UTM formalized their partnership through a collaboration agreement focused on AI and high-performance computing research.

The partnership creates a direct pipeline from classroom to cutting-edge industry, giving students hands-on experience with real-world AI hardware challenges. For Malaysia, it means building the next generation of semiconductor engineers who can compete on the global stage.

SkyeChip plans to go public on the Malaysian stock exchange in April 2026, which would provide additional capital to expand its AI chip development. The move signals investor confidence in Malaysia's ability to compete in the high-stakes semiconductor industry.

The success story arrives during World Engineering Day, celebrated globally on March 4, highlighting how engineering talent transforms research into technological breakthroughs that strengthen national capabilities.

One alumnus with a vision just put Malaysia on the global AI hardware map.