KUALA LUMPUR (Apr 13): Semiconductor Equipment & Materials International (SEMI) has postponed its SEMICON Southeast Asia 2018 to May 22-24, to avoid clashing with the Malaysian general election on May 9.

The event was originally scheduled for May 8-10.

In a statement on its website today, SEMI said the postponement avoids a timing conflict with the recently announced Malaysian election.

It said the venue for SEMICON Southeast Asia, the newly constructed Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), remains unchanged.

SEMI Southeast Asia president Ng Kai Fai said the postponement was in respect to Malaysian exhibitors and visitors to exercise their right to vote.

He said the decision was made in view of the election date and following discussions with SEMICON Southeast Asia stakeholders.

“We highly value and respect the country’s election process, which is very important for Malaysia and Malaysians.

“We also want to ensure that SEMICON Southeast Asia achieves its primary objective of forming connections and collaborations for exhibitors and visitors, both regionally and globally.

“We have received very strong support from our stakeholders and are confident and reassured that this will be the largest SEMICON Southeast Asia show to date,” he said.