Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Trade tensions between the United States (US) and China benefit Malaysia. Foreign media reports say Malaysia is the place where new facilities or factories will be set up after foreign companies leave China, such as Intel, Nvidia and AT&S.
The main place that is the center for the establishment of the new factory is Penang. Intel, for example, is said to be building a factory in Penang. This factory will be Intel's first overseas facility to be used to develop advanced 3D chip facilities.
Since the tensions began, Penang has become a magnet for technology companies looking to reduce risks amid intense competition between the US and China. This can happen because the region is the best place to avoid trade restrictions and can strengthen the company's supply chain.
This condition is of course beneficial for Penang, which was previously known as a center for medical tourism. Penang achieved this status as a result of the Malaysian government's medical tourism policy.
Thanks to long efforts since the 1990s and the success of comprehensive transformation in the accommodation, medical and transportation sectors, Penang has become a medical center, especially in Southeast Asia. The Malaysian government's move to make Penang a medical center and now electronics has succeeded in changing the image of the region 180 degrees from a scary pirate area.
Pirate “Lair”.
It should be noted that since the 19th century, Penang has been the center of spice production and trade in Southeast Asia. The main commodities are nutmeg and cloves. Apart from that, Penang is also a stopping place for sailors because it is located in a strategic area, namely the end of the Malacca Strait.
Penang's sparkling and strategic location certainly attracts the attention of many people, including the pirates who have 'controlled' the Malacca Strait area for a long time. Historical records show that several times ships from and/or to Penang were targeted by pirates.
One of the records that reveals this is Datuk Amar Laut's memoirs about Single History. Amar said that there were many cases where goods deliveries from Sunggal, Medan, to Penang were disrupted. Many pirates looted shipping ships.
On this basis, he asked the British government to build forts or pirate control posts if they wanted to establish relations with Sunggal.
Apart from robbing the seas, pirates also often attacked land. One of the existences of this incident can be seen at Fort Cornwallis. This fort, which was built in 1786, was specifically intended to ward off pirate attacks which often attacked the mainland area of Penang.
Until now the fort still stands tall.
Apart from that, historical records also show that the area formerly called Prince of Wales Island was once home to pirates and robbers. This could happen because they succeeded in establishing cooperation with local authorities.
In the end, the scary image was replaced. Now, Penang is no longer a pirate area, but a medical and electronics hotspot.
[Gambas:Video CNBC]
(mfa/sef)