The PMO said the investment was agreed upon during a meeting between Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Western Digital Malaysia operations group chairman Syed Hussian Aljunid today.

According to a statement from the PMO, the new investment will be used to expand the facilities and capacity of Western Digital’s plants in Penang and Sarawak, with the storage equipment manufacturer now having invested almost RM18 billion in the country.

It said the additional investment by Western Digital “proves the government’s ability to manage the economy and investor’s confidence towards the administration and stability of the country when the world is still facing the Covid-19 pandemic”.

The statement added: “The commitment of the Western Digital Group reflects the high confidence that foreign investors have in the government to continue expanding their investments and operations in Malaysia.”

The PMO said Muhyiddin welcomed companies to invest in high-impact and technology-based industries in the country, adding that the international trade and industry ministry, Malaysian Investment Development Authority and other related agencies were always committed to attracting investment.

Western Digital’s Malaysian exports totalled RM18 billion in 2019.