MITI denies clearing Megaspeed, Speedmatrix amid probe into AI chip re-exports

THE government is investigating whether high-performance US artificial intelligence (AI) chips brought into Malaysia by Speedmatrix Sdn Bhd, the local affiliate of Singapore-based Megaspeed International Pte Ltd, were subsequently re-exported in violation of Malaysian laws.

The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) said it was working with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department to determine whether any of the chips had been transferred to other countries and whether the transactions complied with the Strategic Trade Act 2010.

The ministry stressed that it had never cleared either Megaspeed or Speedmatrix, clarifying that verification visits to data centres housing the latter were part of routine industry monitoring and did not constitute company approval.

“Malaysia will carry out its own checks independently, in accordance with Malaysian law and based on the evidence available,” it said in a statement.

MITI said Speedmatrix, as a tenant at Malaysian data centres, brought in its own servers and AI chips for operational purposes.

While importing AI chips into Malaysia did not currently require a permit or licence, the export, re-export, transshipment or transit of high-performance US AI chips from or through the country has required MITI approval since July 2025.

Such activities are regulated under the Strategic Trade Act 2010, while providing false information to Customs about the goods constitutes a serious offence under the Customs Act 1967.

MITI said it was also working closely with authorities in Singapore and the United States and considering additional measures to strengthen safeguards where necessary.

Although Malaysia did not enforce unilateral export controls imposed by other countries, companies operating locally were expected to take such restrictions into account in their international business dealings.

The ministry also warned companies 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.

“The Government will take stern action against any company found to have broken Malaysian law,” it said. - November 13, 2026