Sarawak has launched its first locally designed gallium nitride (GaN) power semiconductor chip. Announced during this year’s International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (IDECS) 2026, keteq.GaN was developed by state-owned Sarawak Microelectronics Design (SMD) Semiconductor Sdn Bhd. This chip is aimed at a wide range of applications, including AI infrastructure, among other things.
Unveiled by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Zohari Abang Openg, keteq.GaN is meant for power electronics. Basically, it concerns the conversion and management of electricity. This is, of course, an increasingly important area as global computing demands continue to increase. According to SMD, the chip’s highlight is its “ultra-efficient power conversion and management for critical future industries”. Aside from AI, applications include renewable energy and battery energy storage systems, as well as smart grids and space technology.
That last part is particularly relevant, considering the state’s aspirations in the field. It aims to launch its first nanosatellite in 2030 using CubeSat technology. This satellite will serve to gather Earth imagery and geolocation data for environmental monitoring and resource management.
In the meantime, the chip underscores the state’s capabilities in innovation. Speaking during IDECS 2026, Abang Zohari highlighted the development of GaN-based technology as an example of progress in the semiconductor roadmap. He went on to declare that the use of locally developed technology presents an opportunity for the state to move beyond semiconductor and chip design to practical application.
Unsurprisingly, the state is casting a wide net in regards to its technological ambitions. It has ventured into the AI space, with initiatives such as AI data campus projects, an AI grid, and the ADAM AI tool. Aside from these developments, the state also announced its cybersecurity roadmap, which covers its plans for protecting its strategic information assets, businesses, and citizens. Furthermore, the state’s digital identity platform, SarawakPass, is also getting an expansion beyond Air Borneo, Sarawak Energy, and Sarawak Water.
(Source: The Edge Malaysia, SMD Semiconductor via Facebook)
