Cover image via 
Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for the latest stories and breaking news.
The Malaysian behind one of the world's most revolutionary tech inventions is officially back, and he's investing in local talent with an eye-catching starting salary
Datuk Pua Khein-Seng, the man credited with inventing the USB flash drive, recently launched a new high-tech company in Malaysia, offering RM6,000 starting salaries for fresh graduates and five-figure pay for experienced engineers.
The move is part of Pua's broader push to help position Malaysia as a regional leader in microchip design and AI-driven data storage, according to PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar.
In a Facebook post on 27 July, Nurul Izzah revealed that Pua's company, Malaysia AI Storage (MaiStorage), was launched two months ago as the local arm of his Taiwan-based tech firm, Phison Electronics Corporation.
Pua, often referred to as the "father of the pendrive", is the CEO of Phison, which currently holds over 45% of the global USB flash drive market.
According to Nurul Izzah, Pua had tried to jumpstart Malaysia's microchip design industry as early as 1999, but was hindered by bureaucratic red tape and an ecosystem that wasn't yet ready
He eventually took his vision to Taiwan, where it flourished.
Two years ago, during a lunch meeting, Pua told Nurul Izzah he still wanted to give back to Malaysia, and that he aspired to help the country become a "digital tiger in the ASEAN region".
He committed to RM100 million in investments and RM1 billion worth of technology transfer to help build the necessary infrastructure and talent pool.
With support from Nurul Izzah and the Selangor Information Technology & Digital Economy Corporation (SIDEC), Pua was connected to the right ecosystem players to help realise this goal. Selangor is now being positioned as Malaysia's version of Silicon Valley, with MaiStorage as one of its key anchors.
Nurul Izzah shared that when she visited the company's new office recently, Pua thanked her for the support and said, "I've kept my promise".
Pua's return marks a full-circle moment, bringing global expertise back to where it all began. His hope now is to retain and grow local tech talent, instead of watching them leave for opportunities overseas.
He is also eyeing for MaiStorage to be listed on Bursa Malaysia by 2028.
