Critical sector firms tapped to takeover Fairchild

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government is hoping to tap companies in critical sectors to take over the manufacturing facility put up for sale by Fairchild Semiconductor International Inc.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said his administration wanted to ensure those interested were involved in hi-tech, capital intensive and knowledge-based industries.
He also expressed his confidence that any potential sale would be conducted quickly.
"For their land in Bayan Lepas, there is no problem in disposing of it, I think you have a problem of too many suitors," he said in a press conference yesterday.
Fairchild was known as National Semiconductor after investing in Malaysia in 1972.
The sale of the facility is part of the company's worldwide realignment exercise and the closure of the plant by year-end, will see some 500 full time employees affected.
Lim said the workers affected have been offered employment elsewhere and it was up to them to take up the offers.
"If there are any problems, they can always contact the Penang state government. We are more than willing to help," he said.