[NewsPoster]

Apple is looking to expand its development efforts overseas yet again, with the possibility of moving into Malaysia. The Prime Minister of the country, Najib Razak, recently spoke to Apple executives on a visit to its Cupertino headquarters, with the discussion between the politician and Apple's COO Jeff Williams and government policy head Lisa Jackson centered around bringing research and development work to the region.

Setting up a research and development center in Malaysia would help improve the education of children in the area, claims Razak in his blog, according to 9to5Mac. "We will look at opportunities to commercialize the Apple Research and Development Center in the Asia Pacific region in Malaysia, which will focus on innovative ways to use mobile technology to boost learning among children."

Already does have number of such facilities in Asia already, but it is also in the habit of increasing its research capabilities. It is currently constructing one center in Yokohama, Japan, which will apparently be working on new materials and metallurgy, and Apple has also received government approval for the construction of another facility in Indonesia.

Razek also suggested that Apple may want to open an App Development Excellence Center in the country, to "identify, educate, and produce local application developers," and to "further develop the potential of young minds in Malaysia." Last month, Apple announced it was opening its first iOS App Development Center in Europe, with the facility in Italy that will offer support teachers and a specialized curriculum to potential developers, with Apple also planning to expand the project into more territories.

[PolyEx]

Because everyone knows the most innovative software in the world is written in Indonesia, rather than the United States. Sounds like a great idea for Indonesia, and a lousy one for Apple. That is unless you think cheap labor is the way for Apple.

[DiabloConQueso]

Not everything done overseas is because of cheap labor.

Imagine raw materials that go into Apple products that are not abundant or accessible inside the United States -- what do you purport Apple do, then?

Are you suggesting that Apple do 100% of its manufacturing and development within the US borders and simply export products and services to other countries for purchase by their consumers?

[PolyEx]

The only raw material they are thinking about in this case is cheap labor. Cheap labor that can also keep the pay of American workers lower. It's short term profit over long term quality and survival. It's the hallmark of companies that are lapdogs for Wall street analysts that look for short-term gains and quick profit for themselves. It leads to mediocre quality at best in the products and the eventual collapse of these companies. Not to mention you are training future competitors to the U.S. But what do the executives care? They already moved on with millions of dollars for themselves by the time that happens, and the company is left gutted.

[DiabloConQueso]

Who better to employ at a research and development center geared toward Asia Pacific-centric education and development than a bunch of Americans, and where better to built a research and development center geared toward Asia Pacific-centric education and development than smack in the middle of the USA?

Brilliant!

[Flying Meat]

Of course they could just import those workers to the US, but then they'd still be "putting Americans out of jobs!"