No Evidence Yet of NVIDIA AI Chips Being Re-Exported – PM Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has so far found no indication that NVIDIA artificial intelligence (AI) chips linked to Megaspeed have been re-exported from Malaysia to other countries.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said preliminary investigations had yet to uncover evidence confirming the allegations.

“There is no indication of that (so far),” he said when asked whether there was evidence that the chips had been taken out of Malaysia, while speaking to reporters after performing Friday prayers at Madrasathul Gouthiyyah, Surau Brickfields, here today.

Anwar also said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani had submitted a preliminary report on the matter this morning.

He said the government would coordinate efforts with the relevant agencies to ensure the matter was thoroughly investigated.

“We will cooperate with all the agencies involved,” he said.

Commenting on the possible involvement of foreign parties, Anwar said Malaysia had not received any official requests from Singapore or the United States (US) to assist in the investigation.

“At this point, we have not received any such requests. However, we will certainly cooperate,” he said.

He stressed that Malaysia remained open to international trade and investment, but all business activities must comply with established regulations and laws.

“We are a trading nation. We welcome investment. We want to ensure that regulations are complied with,” he said.

Earlier, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) clarified in a statement that it had never approved any application from Singapore-based Megaspeed International Pte Ltd or its Malaysian affiliate, Speedmatrix Sdn Bhd.

MITI also explained that Speedmatrix is a tenant at a data centre in Malaysia and imports its own servers and AI chips for the company’s operational use.

However, the ministry is currently working with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) to investigate whether the chips may have been re-exported to other countries and to ensure that all transactions comply with legal requirements.

MITI clarified that importing AI chips into Malaysia currently does not require a specific permit or licence from the ministry.

However, since July 2025, any export, re-export or transfer of US-made high-performance AI chips from or through Malaysia requires a MITI permit under the Strategic Trade Act 2010.

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

MITI stressed that the investigation would be conducted independently, based on Malaysian laws and the evidence obtained, before any conclusions are drawn.

Astro AWANI