GEORGE TOWN, July 27 — The semiconductor industry in Penang recorded very strong growth for last year and this year despite the imminent closure of Fairchild Semiconductor International Inc, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said today.
Fairchild, one of the oldest semiconductor multinational companies to set up in Penang, announced its decision to close down its Penang plant along with plants in West Jordan, Utah, and Bucheon in South Korea last year.
“This is more of a company specific issue and not reflective of the semiconductor industry in Penang as the growth is still very strong,” Lim said.
Fairchild opened its plant in Penang back in 1972 as National Semiconductor and is now selling its manufacturing facility in the Free Industrial Zone (FIZ) in Bayan Lepas.
The plant is expected to be fully closed down by the end of this year and Lim said most of the staff have been absorbed by other MNCs in the state.
As for those who are yet to get a job, Lim said they can always contact the state government and the state will assist them in looking for suitable employment in the industry especially with still a strong demand for workers in the sector.
On the sale of the piece of land covering about 20 acres, Lim said there is high demand for the land and interested buyers will have to approach Fairchild first.
“After that only they have to come to the state government because we want to ensure that it is a critical industry which is high technology, capital intensive and knowledge based and also those in sunrise industries,” he added.
