MalayMail-Nov 4
Google will invest an additional US$15 billion (RM61 billion) in Malaysia over the next two years to expand its data center infrastructure, which is expected to contribute an annual average of US$1.1 billion to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Alphabet and Google president and chief investment officer Ruth Porat said the investment would cover the expansion of Google’s existing data center campus at Elmina Business Park in Selangor, as well as new planned campuses in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan. “We are very excited about expanding our digital infrastructure here responsibly, investing in resource stewardship, clean energy initiatives, as well as new skilling programs in order to open pathways to economic opportunity for Malaysians across the country,” she said at the Mantap Malaysia Bersama AI at Universiti Malaya here. She said the construction phase, scheduled for 2027 and 2028, was expected to support more than 37,000 local jobs annually and generate an average annual labor income of US$378 million. Once operational, the facilities are projected to support more than 9,000 long-term local jobs, with average wages 45 per cent above Malaysia’s median wage. Porat said the investment reflected Google’s confidence in Malaysia’s leadership, skilled workforce and commitment to digital transformation, while strengthening the company’s presence in the country and Southeast Asia. She added that Google was working with more than 80 Malaysian entities across sectors including civil engineering, power systems, network infrastructure and logistics to develop and operate its facilities. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who witnessed the announcement, described the investment as a major milestone in Malaysia’s efforts to become a leading digital powerhouse in South-east Asia. He said foreign direct investment was indispensable to the country’s economic development, but its benefits should extend beyond capital inflows and infrastructure to strengthen local businesses, develop human capital and ensure responsible management of natural resources. He also welcomed Google’s commitment to upskill 800,000 Malaysians by 2031 through four programs targeting educators and students, microentrepreneurs, local council officers and vocational jobseekers. Read more at:
