PENANG, MALAYSIA -- Research in Motion is considering either outsourcing some production or building its own manufacturing facility in Malaysia, according to local reports.

RIM is contemplating outsourcing certain production to Flextronics in Seberang Perai, the Malaysian Star is reporting, citing undisclosed sources.

The Star said the Blackberry maker might instead choose to establish its own site here.

The company seeks local manufacturing to support higher demand for its smartphones in Asia, the paper said.

RIM vice president of Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam Dany Bolduc reportedly said, “We ... fundamentally believe that producing BlackBerry smartphones in Malaysia will help achieve this goal.”

RIM is Flextronics' largest customer, comprising more than 10% of the EMS company's sales during each of the past three quarters.