1st Silicon Brings International Industry Executive on Board as Chief Operating Officer

Kuching, Sarawak MALAYSIA; May 20, 2002 -- 1st Silicon (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. has appointed international industry veteran William John Nelson, PhD, to the new position of Chief Operating Officer (COO). Dr. Nelson, who is based in Kuching, reports to Claudio G. Loddo, Chief Executive Officer.

"Dr. Nelson's combined operations accomplishments and vast international experience working in locations throughout Asia, Europe and the United States are representative of the global nature of the semiconductor industry," stated Mr. Loddo. "Success in the foundry industry requires a global vision that can be implemented everywhere. Dr. Nelson has demonstrated this talent throughout his career."

Dr. Nelson commented on his goals for the Company, stating, "My intention at 1st Silicon is to develop a world-class operations team that provides cost-effective product, excellent customer service, and a mindset of long-term partnership with our customers. I am very happy to be a member of the 1st Silicon team. Together, we are committed to making 1st Silicon a world-class wafer foundry and Kuching a center of manufacturing excellence."
Since 1999 until joining 1st Silicon, Dr. Nelson was Chief Operating Officer of General Semiconductor, where he was responsible for day-to-day operations including worldwide manufacturing, sales, marketing and new-product development.

For seven years between 1990 and 1999, Dr. Nelson was based in Taipei, Taiwan, and served in several executive positions, including president of General Semiconductor's Asia-Pacific operation. Prior to leading General Semiconductor Taiwan's divestiture from General Instruments, Dr. Nelson was president of General Instruments, Taiwan, and he also served as vice-president and general manager of General Instrument's power semiconductor division. During that time he also directed the construction of the company's manufacturing site in Tianjin, China, driving completion in less than two years.

From 1994 until 1996, Dr. Nelson was based in New York as senior vice-president of worldwide operations of General Instruments' semiconductor division. Dr. Nelson's other experience includes positions as wafer fabrication operations manager at Unitrode and Fairchild Semiconductor, as well as various wafer fabrication engineering posts at Analog Devices.

Dr. Nelson earned both a Bachelor of Science degree with honors and a PhD in physics from the University of Ulster, Ireland.

About 1st Silicon (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
1st Silicon is a dedicated semiconductor foundry founded in 1998 by the Malaysian State of Sarawak. 1st Silicon's 200mm wafer fab has a capacity in excess of 30,000 wafers per month when fully ramped. The Company is in volume production with 0.25 micron digital and mixed-signal CMOS technologies and is now providing 0.18um process prototypes. 1st Silicon's customers include integrated device manufacturers and fabless semiconductor companies from the U.S., Japan, and Asia. The Company has its headquarters in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, and a U.S. registered subsidiary corporation located in San Jose, California. More information is available on the Company's website at www.1stsilicon.com.