July 10–Kuala Lumpur – Motorola Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. will invest some $65.9 million to expand the capacity of its semiconductor plant and on the transfer of technology, creating 500 new jobs.

Motorola Malaysia’s Managing Director J.A. Lew says the new investment would be phased in over this year and into the first quarter 2003. He adds that the project involves the transfer of Motorola’s flip chip technology to Malaysia, while Dow Jones reported high volume quad flat pack production from semiconductor facilities in Hong Kong and Japan.

By 2003, Motorola will have invested $1.14 billion over 30 years in the semiconductor plant in Petaling Jaya, outside Kuala Lumpur, Lew says.

“It reinstates Motorola’s deepening commitment to stay in Malaysia,” he adds.

The plant is located on a 20-acre site and is expected to use a further 100,000 square feet of manufacturing floor space. Motorola Malaysia has already recruited 200 people for the 500 new jobs. When all the positions are filled, it will have a total staff of 4,000.