Google announced an investment of US$2 billion in Malaysia which includes the establishment of Malaysia’s first Google data center and a new Google Cloud region.
This follows earlier investments by tech giant Microsoft, which committed US$2.2 billion this month, and Amazon Web Services (AWS), which pledged US$6 billion in Malaysia last November.
These developments aim to meet the increasing demand for cloud services both locally and globally and support AI literacy programmes for Malaysian students and educators.
The new data center will support Google’s digital services such as Search, Maps, and Workspace, which are widely used worldwide, including in Malaysia.
It will also facilitate the delivery of AI benefits to users across the country. Malaysia will join the ranks of 11 other countries hosting Google data centers, enhancing global service capabilities.
The Google Cloud region will provide high-performance, low-latency services to enterprises, startups, and public sector organisations.
Customers will benefit from robust security, data residency, and compliance standards.
This region will complement existing Google Cloud infrastructure in Cyberjaya and Kuala Lumpur, offering direct connections to Google Cloud’s global network.
Malaysia’s cloud region will be part of Google’s global network, which includes 40 regions and 121 zones.
In alignment with the Ministry of Education’s National Digital Education Policy, Google is launching AI literacy programmes for students and educators.
The Gemini Academy and Experience AI programmes aim to equip educators with the tools and knowledge to teach AI responsibly and effectively. These initiatives are expected to reach thousands of educators and students across Malaysia.
Google’s strategic collaboration with the Malaysian government, announced in November 2023, aims to promote inclusive growth through AI and cloud technologies.
Today’s investment is projected to contribute over US$3.2 billion to Malaysia’s GDP and create 26,500 jobs by 2030, according to an evaluation by AlphaBeta.
Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer; Chief Financial Officer of Alphabet and Google, said,
“Google’s first data center and Google Cloud region is our largest planned investment so far in Malaysia – a place Google has been proud to call home for 13 years. This investment builds on our partnership with the Government of Malaysia to advance its ‘Cloud First Policy,’ including best-in-class cybersecurity standards.”
YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, said,
“Google’s US$2 billion investment in Malaysia will significantly advance the digital ambitions outlined in our New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030). The Google data center and Google Cloud region in Greater Kuala Lumpur, in particular, will empower our manufacturing and service-based industries to leverage AI and other advanced technologies to move up the global value chain. We also value Google’s plan to help us develop a robust talent ecosystem by facilitating the growth of our people’s digital skills, businesses, and careers.”
