Miti says it never cleared Megaspeed, Speedmatrix as Malaysia probes possible AI chip re-exports

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 — The Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) said today it had never cleared Singapore-based Megaspeed International Pte Ltd or its Malaysian affiliate, Speedmatrix Sdn Bhd.

The ministry said it was working with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department to determine whether any chips imported by the companies had subsequently been re-exported to other countries, and whether the transactions complied with Malaysian law.

Miti clarified that Speedmatrix was a tenant at data centres in Malaysia and that any verification visits conducted at the facilities were part of its routine monitoring of the sector, not an endorsement or clearance of the company.

“Any suggestion otherwise is inaccurate,” the ministry said in a statement today.

It said Speedmatrix brought its own servers and AI chips into Malaysia for its operations, adding that importing AI chips into the country did not currently require a permit or licence.

However, since July 2025, companies seeking to export, re-export, tranship or transit high-performance US AI chips from or through Malaysia must first obtain a permit from Miti under the Strategic Trade Act 2010.

The ministry also warned that providing false information to Customs about such goods was a serious offence under the Customs Act 1967.

Miti said Malaysia would conduct its own independent checks based on available evidence and in accordance with domestic laws, while working with authorities in Singapore and the United States to strengthen safeguards.

It added that although Malaysia did not enforce export controls imposed unilaterally by other countries, companies operating locally were expected to take such restrictions into account when conducting international business.

The ministry also reminded companies against misrepresenting their dealings with government agencies.

“Malaysia welcomes investment in data centres and technology, but will not allow itself to be used to get around export controls,” it said, adding that stern action would be taken against any company found to have violated Malaysian law.