KUALA LUMPUR: The Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) has clarified that it did not grant any clearance or approval to Singapore-based Megaspeed International Pte Ltd or its Malaysian affiliate, Speedmatrix Sdn Bhd, amid ongoing checks into the movement of high-performance artificial intelligence (AI) chips through Malaysia.
In a statement on Friday (Nov 13), the ministry said Speedmatrix was a tenant at data centres in Malaysia and that its visits to the facilities were part of routine monitoring of the data centre sector.
It stressed that these visits should not be interpreted as an endorsement, clearance or company-specific approval for Speedmatrix or any other business operating in the sector.
MITI said Speedmatrix imports its own servers and AI chips into Malaysia for operational purposes. The importation of AI chips into the country does not currently require a permit or licence.
However, since July 2025, companies seeking to export, re-export, transship or transit high-performance US AI chips from or through Malaysia have been required to obtain permits from Miti under the Strategic Trade Act 2010.
The ministry also warned that providing false information to the Customs Department about such goods constitutes a serious offence under the Customs Act 1967.
MITI said it was working with the Customs Department to establish whether any chips brought into Malaysia had subsequently been re-exported to other countries and whether such movements complied with local laws.
It clarified that the ongoing checks were focused on the subsequent movement of controlled chips out of or through Malaysia, rather than their initial importation.
“Malaysia will carry out its own checks independently, in accordance with Malaysian law and based on the evidence available,” it said.
The ministry added that it was working with authorities in Singapore and the United States to strengthen safeguards and considering additional measures to tighten controls where necessary.
While Malaysia does not enforce export restrictions imposed unilaterally by other countries, companies operating locally are expected to consider such restrictions in their international business dealings.
MITI also reminded businesses 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 companies found violating Malaysian laws.