GEORGE TOWN (6 Oct 2026) : Somewhere in the world, a diabetic patient could be checking their glucose level without a single finger prick, and there is a good chance the sensor making it possible was produced in Penang, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.
Chow said this underscored how far Penang’s medical technology (MedTech) industry had progressed, with the sector now emerging as a key pillar of the state’s high-value manufacturing ecosystem.
“MedTech is no longer a niche sector here. It is a pillar of our high-value manufacturing ecosystem,” he said when launching the Malaysia MedTech Industry Summit 2026 organised by the Association of Malaysian Medical Industries (AMMI) at G Hotel Gurney here today.
He added that Penang is home to seven of the world’s top 30 MedTech companies, Abbott, Boston Scientific, B. Braun, Smith+Nephew, STERIS, Dexcom and Intuitive Surgical, describing the concentration as a reflection of the state’s strong industrial ecosystem and capabilities.
He said Penang recorded RM238 billion in exports of optical, precision, medical and surgical instruments between 2021 and mid-2026, accounting for an average of 64 per cent of Malaysia’s total exports in the category.
“Put simply, nearly two out of every three ringgit Malaysia earns from these exports is earned in Penang,” he said.
Chow said Penang’s success in MedTech was closely linked to its more than five-decade experience in electrical and electronics (E&E), where precision manufacturing and automation had created capabilities that could be transferred into higher-value medical applications.
“Penang did not build its MedTech ecosystem from scratch. We built on the capabilities we already had and moved them into higher-value applications,” he said.
He added that Penang secured RM2.3 billion in approved investments in the MedTech sector across 40 projects between 2021 and the first quarter of 2026, creating nearly 4,500 jobs.
At the same time, more than 20 local MedTech companies are producing Medical Device Authority (MDA)-registered devices, ranging from orthopaedic implants and surgical instruments to wound care, dental products, infection-control solutions and medical consumables.
Chow said Penang’s next priority was to move beyond manufacturing scale towards greater value creation through more design, research and development (R&D), regulatory and testing capabilities.
He also called for more local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to move up the value chain and become MDA-registered device manufacturers in their own right.
“The 20 local companies we have today should be 40 tomorrow,” he said.
Chow said MedTech fitted squarely within the Penang2030 vision, particularly its focus on upgrading the economy and empowering people through industry-academia partnerships to develop the engineers, technicians and quality specialists needed by the sector.
“Over half a century ago, Penang bet its future on semiconductors. That bet built the island we know today. MedTech is the next chapter of that story, where precision manufacturing serves human health,” he said.
Meanwhile, AMMI chairman Samuel Pooranakaran said Malaysia had established itself as a trusted global hub for medical technology manufacturing, with the MedTech sector consistently outperforming many other industries in terms of growth and exports.
He said Penang continued to play a pivotal role in Malaysia’s MedTech success story, citing several major investments announced in the state.
These included Intuitive Surgical’s planned investment of more than RM2 billion over the next five years to establish its first manufacturing facility in Malaysia and Southeast Asia at Bandar Cassia Technology Park (BCTP).
The 316,000-square-foot facility is expected to begin operations in 2028 and create 1,200 highly skilled jobs by 2032.
Pooranakaran also highlighted Boston Scientific’s expansion of its industrial production facility in Batu Kawan, focusing on advanced intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) devices for sophisticated cardiovascular treatments.
German company Eppendorf, meanwhile, is investing approximately RM180 million to establish its first production facility in Southeast Asia at BCTP, with the facility projected to create around 130 jobs by the end of 2029.
Pooranakaran said AMMI’s achievement of reaching 100 members this year reflected the growing strength and diversity of Malaysia’s MedTech industry, as well as the confidence companies placed in the association as the industry’s collective voice.
“This year’s theme, ‘Advancing a Future Ready MedTech Ecosystem’, captures our collective aspiration to build a more resilient, innovative and globally competitive industry, one that is well-positioned to seize emerging opportunities and meet the healthcare needs of the future,” he said.
He said collaboration between industry players, Government agencies and other stakeholders remained crucial to building a resilient ecosystem.
AMMI had also launched its inaugural Industry Partnership Recognition Award 2026 to recognise member companies that were helping drive a shift from transactions to transformation through local sourcing and supplier development.
On talent development, Pooranakaran said AMMI had trained more than 1,500 participants through initiatives including the MyMahir SkillsLab, MedTech Talent & Employment Programme and MedTech Professional Certification Programmes.
He said AMMI would continue working with TalentCorp, CREST and higher learning institutions to strengthen industry-academia collaboration and prepare a future-ready workforce.
“Talent is the backbone of our industry,” he said.
Pooranakaran said AMMI’s Strategic Roadmap 2030 would guide the association and industry over the next five years, with the vision of making Malaysia a leading global MedTech ecosystem driven by talent, innovation and manufacturing excellence.
Its four key pillars are policy advocacy, talent development, operational excellence, and strategic industry partnerships and development.
Speaking to reporters after the event, Chow said Malaysia should leverage the strengths of different states to capture a larger share of the global MedTech supply chain.
He said Penang represented only a segment of the wider ecosystem and that greater collaboration nationwide could help Malaysia strengthen its position as a MedTech hub for Southeast Asia and the world.
“Even in Penang, we have only a small segment of the whole supply chain. I think it is good that Malaysia be working to capture the MedTech industry, leveraging all the states, not only Penang,” he said.
Chow also welcomed expansion plans by existing investors, stressing that reinvestments were equally important alongside new investments.
“When investors decide to invest, they do a lot of studies, including ecosystem support, human and talent resources. So, these are the areas that we need to focus on and work on,” he said.
He added that Penang would continue strengthening its infrastructure, talent pool and overall ecosystem to support both existing investors and potential new entrants.
“We look forward to more investment coming into the country and coming into Penang,” he said.
Also present earlier were Penang Development Corporation (PDC) chief executive Datuk Abdul Latiff and Medical Device Authority (MDA) chief executive Datuk Dr Muralitharan Paramuasa.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Siew Chia En
https://www.buletinmutiara.com/penang-positions-medtech-as-next-chapter-of-high-value-manufacturing/