LUMUT: Police have been investigating allegations that Malaysia was used as a transit hub for the re-export of high-tech artificial intelligence (AI) chips since April 2025, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said.
He said the investigation was conducted under the Strategic Trade Act, with the police also serving on the Strategic Trade Action Committee (STAC) under the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti).
Saifuddin said any new findings from the police investigation were relayed to Miti, which is the lead agency, as the complaint over the alleged AI chip exports was raised by the United States government with the ministry.
However, he described the investigation as highly complex, involving multiple layers of inquiry and several agencies represented in STAC.
“Police opened an investigation paper as early as April 2025. If there are any findings, we will update Miti, and it is the ministry’s responsibility to relay them to the party that lodged the complaint.
“Our (police) investigation is focused on whether Malaysia was used as a transit hub. So, to answer whether the police are investigating the matter, the answer is yes. We began our investigation as soon as the allegations emerged.
“Whether the findings establish evidence to support the allegations of diversion or illegal procurement involves multiple layers of investigation, making it a highly complex matter,” he told reporters.
Saifuddin was speaking after officiating the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) Kampung Angkat Madani and Sekolah Angkat Madani handover ceremony at Kampung Sungai Tiram, Lekir, Sitiawan.
He said STAC comprised several agencies besides the police, including Bank Negara Malaysia, the Inland Revenue Board, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and the Customs Department.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government has yet to find any indication linking Nvidia AI chips to Singapore-based Megaspeed International Pte Ltd and their subsequent re-export from Malaysia to other countries.
The issue involves Singapore-based Megaspeed International and its Malaysian subsidiary, Speedmatrix Sdn Bhd.
This followed an earlier statement by Miti that it had not granted any approvals to either company.
Miti said Speedmatrix was a tenant at a data centre in Malaysia, adding that any verification visits to the facility were part of the ministry’s routine monitoring of the data centre sector and should not be interpreted as an indication that a company was facing difficulties obtaining approval.
The ministry said any claims to the contrary were inaccurate.