PENANG recorded another major commitment in foreign direct investment related to healthcare - just two weeks after a German multinational decided to make the state its preferred manufacturing hub.
Intuitive Surgical Inc (Nasdaq: ISRG), a global technology leader in minimally invasive care and pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS), will invest more than RM2 billion over five years to establish its first manufacturing facility at Bandar Cassia Technology Park (BCTP) in Batu Kawan.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the commitment reaffirmed the state's goal to become a medical tech hub in the region, underlining the state's growing reputation as an important part of the global supply chain for electronics and electrical, as well as now medical tech devices.
The 316,000-square-foot facility is expected to begin operations in 2028 and create 1,200 highly skilled jobs by 2032.
Intuitive will manufacture surgical instruments and electromechanical devices for Intuitive’s da Vinci surgical system, strengthening the company’s global manufacturing network and bringing production closer to customers across the Asia-Pacific region, where demand for robotic-assisted surgery continues to grow.
Chow said Penang was honoured that Intuitive, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, had chosen the state for the strategic investment, reflecting the company’s confidence in Penang as a trusted manufacturing destination.
“I am delighted to welcome Intuitive to Penang. Once again, such investments reflect the confidence that global industry leaders have in Penang’s mature industrial ecosystem, highly skilled workforce and proven manufacturing excellence,” he said.
He said investments such as Intuitive’s would accelerate Penang’s ambition to become the leading MedTech hub in Southeast Asia.
Chow said Penang had leveraged more than five decades of industrial excellence to expand beyond the electrical and electronics (E&E) industry into other advanced manufacturing sectors, including medical technology (MedTech), which he described as the “hidden gem” of Penang.
“Penang has the highest concentration of MedTech companies in Malaysia and the region. Supported by world-class infrastructure, strong engineering capabilities, an experienced talent pool and an integrated supply chain, our ecosystem continues to attract leading MedTech companies," said Chow.
From 2021 to the first quarter of 2026, Penang secured RM2.3 billion in approved manufacturing investments in the scientific and measuring equipment sector, including MedTech, representing nearly 20 per cent of the nation’s total investments in the sector.
The investments involved 40 projects and generated nearly 4,500 employment opportunities, Chow said.
Intuitive executive vice-president and chief manufacturing and supply chain officer Mark Brosius said the investment represented a commitment to the Asia-Pacific region, which the company expects to become its largest market soon.
The company has entered into a lease agreement with PDC for its new manufacturing facility at Bandar Cassia Technology Park, covering a 40-acre site.
Intuitive has, to date, served 20 million patients through surgeries in 70 countries, with 12,000 Intuitive robots installed in hospitals around the world. – August 15, 2026
