Miti: No clearance granted to Megaspeed, Speedmatrix

KUALA LUMPUR: The Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry clarifies that it has never given clearance or approval to Singapore-based Megaspeed International Pte Ltd or its Malaysian affiliate, Speedmatrix Sdn Bhd, amid growing scrutiny over the movement of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips.

The clarification comes after Megaspeed and Speedmatrix were linked to international concerns over whether high-performance Nvidia chips brought into Malaysia may have been reexported to other countries, including China.

The ministry said visits to data centres where Speedmatrix operates were part of its routine monitoring of the sector and should not be interpreted as an endorsement or clearance of the companies.

Speedmatrix is a tenant at Malaysian data centres and brings in its own servers and AI chips for its operations.

The ministry said importing AI chips into Malaysia currently does not require a permit or licence.

However, since July 2025, companies seeking to export, reexport, transship or transit high-performance US AI chips from or through Malaysia must first obtain a permit from Miti under the Strategic Trade Act 2010.

The ministry is now working with the Customs Department to determine whether any chips brought into the country were subsequently reexported and if this complied with Malaysian law.

Providing false information relating to such goods is also a serious offence under the Customs Act 1967, it said.

The ministry said Malaysia will conduct its own independent checks based on local laws and available evidence, while working closely with authorities in Singapore and the United States to strengthen safeguards.

The case has drawn attention to Malaysia's growing role as a regional data centre hub.

Advanced AI chips have become increasingly sensitive because of US restrictions aimed at limiting China's access to high-end computing technology.

Megaspeed, a major buyer of Nvidia chips, has faced scrutiny in the US and Singapore over possible breaches of export controls.

The company has denied wrongdoing.

Earlier reports said Malaysian authorities were prepared to examine whether Speedmatrix had breached local laws if evidence emerged that restricted chips had been improperly reexported.

The ministry also warned companies against misrepresenting their dealings with government agencies.

While Malaysia does not enforce unilateral export controls imposed by other countries, it said companies operating here were expected to take such restrictions into account when conducting international business.

Malaysia welcomes investments in data centres and technology, the ministry said, but will not allow the country to be used to bypass export controls.

"The government will take stern action against any company found to have broken Malaysian law," it added.