Malaysia plans R&D lab to counter China

Wong Choon Mei

CYBERJAYA, Malaysia: Malaysia plans to establish a high-cost, state-of-the-art laboratory to develop new technologies, in a bid to counter growing competition from rivals China and India. Mohamed Arif Nun, Chief Executive of state-funded Multimedia Development Corporation, said the lab was crucial to the country's plan of shifting from a traditional manufacturing and assembly base into research and development.

The building in Cyberjaya, the technology town outside Kuala Lumpur will cost over $18 million, excluding laboratory and test equipment. The fittings, which will include a "nano lab", will cost many times that figure, a source close to the project said.