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Top 5 at 5: 100% Tariffs on Semiconductors Semi-Crazy?

Andrew Chan, Director, Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association

07-Aug-25 17:00

Top 5 at 5: 100% Tariffs on Semiconductors Semi-Crazy?

Trump's tariff storm continues to brew. This time with a surprise announcement of 100% tariffs on E&E sector, including semiconductors. While nothing has been formalised, the move has raised lots of questions among local chipmakers. We speak about the potential impact of this with Andrew Chan, director of the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association.

Other stories we covered:

• Thai-Cambodia peace talks conclude: Following the General Border Committee meeting which took place this week, PM Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will continue playing a coordinating role as the two countries continue to navigate face-to-face dialogue. We hear from Phar Kim Beng, Professor of ASEAN Studies at IIUM, about the negotiation process and the role Malaysia played in them.
• Former Finance Minister objects mandatory minimum wage: Lim Guan Eng argued that the minimum wage of RM1,700 with 2% EPF should only be mandated for new foreign hires, citing similar measures practiced in Singapore. This view was met with backlash from human rights groups. We reached out to Parti Sosialis Malaysia's deputy chairperson S. Arutchelvam for his thoughts.
• Can Portal Jodoh raise birth rates in Terengganu?: The newly launched Portal Jodoh Darul Iman is encouraging Terengganu folks to get married, bump up birth rates, and delay the state's ageing status. Dr Nadirah Babji, a public health and gender researcher shares her thoughts on the root causes of delayed marriage, and whether matchmaking is enough to solve this.
• For PAS, women leaders are like cows: Youth Leader Muhammad Salman al-Farisi's comments drew flak from the likes of DAP, SIS Forum (Malaysia) and AWAM, and has even come to the Law Minister's attention for potential violation the Penal Code. We discuss the controversy, and why Malaysia falls so far behind when it comes to gender equality.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Sudais Ferhard, Alia Zefri, Sneha Harikannan, Juliet Jacobs

Presented by: Lee Chwi Lynn, Sharaad Kuttan, Susan Tam


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Categories:  controversiesFamily/Parentinggovernmentinternationalpoliticseconomyeducation

Tags:  pasfeminismterengganumarriagebirthratelim guan engminimum wageforeign workersthailandcambodiasemiconductorUS Tariff





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