1st Silicon Selects Vice President, Marketing and Business Development to Expand Global Strategy

Kuching, Sarawak MALAYSIA; February 26, 2003 -- 1st Silicon (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. has announced that Mort Bamdad has joined the company as Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. In this role, Mr. Bamdad will be responsible for developing the company’s global marketing strategy, building brand value, providing vision for target market support, and cultivate strategic business and technology alliances. He reports directly to Dr. W. John Nelson, 1Si Chief Executive Officer.

“In the age of systems-on-chips, a foundry cannot afford to be just a manufacturer. It must enable a blend of technologies and intellectual property, in addition to ensuring the success of its customers by providing appropriate services and solutions in a cost-effective manner,” stated Mr. Bamdad. “My goal is to forge alliances and business relationships across our supply chain, so that our customers around the world see us as an attractive and competitive foundry.”

Dr. Nelson added his perspective, saying, “Building a global company requires a team with global experience. I am very pleased to welcome Mort to the team. His extensive background in the foundry business can help us define clearly technology roadmaps that are customer- and end-market driven. In addition, Mort can add value to our business by seeking out strategic alliances and partnerships.”

Mr. Bamdad joins 1Si following a five-year term as Senior Business Development Manager at TSMC’s Netherlands location. Reporting to TSMC’s President of Europe Operations, Mr. Bamdad was responsible for business development in Europe and the Middle East.

Prior to TSMC, Mr. Bamdad was Divisional Manager for Wacker Siltronics, where he managed the company’s wafer business in northern Europe. Before that, he worked with Philips Semiconductors in various management roles for the ASIC and customer silicon IC business groups.

Mr. Bamdad began his semiconductor career as a member of Westminster University’s research department, investigating integrated circuit design methodologies and computer-aided design applications.

He graduated with Honours from Westminster University, London, with a Degree in Microelectronics.

About 1st Silicon (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
1st Silicon (1Si) is a dedicated semiconductor foundry founded in 1998 by the Malaysian State of Sarawak. 1st Silicon's 200mm wafer fabhas a capacity in excess of 30,000 wafers per month when fully ramped. The Company has started volume production with 0.25 micron digital and mixed signal CMOS technology in Q1 2001, and has introduced its 0.18µm process. 1st Silicon's customers include Integrated Device Manufacturers and Fabless Semiconductor companies from the US, Japan, and Asia. The Company has its headquarters in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, and a US registered Subsidiary Corporation located in San Jose, California. Please visit 1st Silicon's homepage at www.1stsilicon.com for more information.