Malaysia is positioning itself as a key centre for permanent-magnet manufacturing — particularly neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) — through a major facility in Pahang and partnerships with global mining and tech firms. The shift is part of a broader strategy to capture more value downstream of rare-earth extraction and reduce dependence on established hubs. As demand for electric vehicles, wind turbines and defence systems rises, Malaysia’s move could reshape global supply-chains for critical minerals, with implications for manufacturing and trade-policy dynamics.