KOA Denko Expansion To Create Over 950 Job Opportunities In Melaka -- Ab Rauf

MELAKA, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- The expansion of KOA Denko Malaysia Sdn Bhd’s manufacturing operations in Ayer Keroh is expected to create more than 950 jobs, boosting employment prospects and developing skilled local talent in Melaka.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ab Rauf Yusoh said the expansion would see the company’s total workforce projected to reach up to 1,000 by 2028, with the state government hoping that local technical and skilled workers would be given priority in filling the positions.

He said the additional employment opportunities would enable more Melaka residents, particularly those with technical qualifications and specialised skills, to secure jobs and build careers in the high-value manufacturing sector.

“I sincerely hope KOA Denko will give priority to our local technical and skilled workforce here in Melaka, so that more of them can seize these opportunities, further develop their expertise and build successful careers with the company,” he said during the grand opening of KOA Denko Malaysia’s new manufacturing facility in Ayer Keroh here today.

Also present were KOA Corporation president Kosei Mukaiyama and KOA Denko Malaysia managing director Akira Kinoshita.

Ab Rauf said the state government also hoped to see greater collaboration between KOA Denko and local companies, particularly in supplying machinery, equipment, and other related industrial services.

He said such partnerships would allow local businesses to participate more actively in multinational companies' supply chains, while creating wider economic opportunities for the state’s industrial players.

He also welcomed KOA Denko’s earlier collaboration with the Melaka Industrial Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Centre (MISDEC) to develop local talent, and hoped the cooperation could expand through more practical training and industry exposure for graduates.

Ab Rauf said the initiative was important in preparing graduates for skilled and specialised positions, particularly as the manufacturing sector increasingly embraced advanced technologies.

KOA Denko’s expansion also marks a significant milestone in Melaka’s industrial development, following the company’s additional RM1 billion investment announced during the groundbreaking ceremony in October 2023.

The new Ayer Keroh facility is now the largest single production facility within the KOA Group worldwide, reflecting the company’s continued confidence in Melaka as a strategic manufacturing location.

The company had also set a target of producing 8.2 billion chip resistors per month by 2028, further strengthening its global manufacturing capabilities and contribution to the electronics supply chain.

Ab Rauf said Melaka was keen to strengthen its manufacturing sector, with greater emphasis on high-value electronics, semiconductors and advanced technologies, in line with the National Semiconductor Strategy.

He said the state recorded RM14.68 billion in approved investments across 312 projects in 2025, its highest investment achievement in 22 years, while more than 400 manufacturing companies currently operate in the state, including nearly 30 from Japan.

He said the state government would continue to prioritise reliable industrial infrastructure, efficient investment processes, and the development of a skilled workforce to attract more global technology companies and ensure local businesses and communities benefit from the investments.

-- BERNAMA