We reported before that Google has invested ~RM9.4 billion in Malaysia for its Google Data Centre and Google Cloud Region. Today, the company held a ceremonial ground-breaking event - Mantap Malaysia Bersama AI with construction underway in Elmina Business Park, Selangor, which could project a positive economic impact and create 26,500 jobs by 2030.
Google’s cloud and data centre infrastructure in Malaysia will help meet the growing demand for Google Cloud capabilities and AI innovations, and the company’s popular digital services, such as Search, Maps, and Google Workspace. During the ceremony, the company also announced a series of local digital skilling and sustainability partnerships built on the strategic collaboration it established with the Government of Malaysia at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Meeting in November 2023.
Following Google Cloud's 2022 announcement of plans to launch a local cloud region, this project aims to make it easier and faster for public sector organizations, SMBs, startups, and large enterprises to benefit from Google Cloud’s on-demand computing and AI and machine learning (ML) resources. The cloud region will deliver high-performance and low-latency services and offer customers key controls to maintain the highest security, data residency, and compliance standards, including specific data storage requirements.
In addition, Google Cloud also announced its partnership with Dagang NeXchange Berhad (DNeX) earlier this week. This partnership will offer next-generation sovereign cloud solutions in Malaysia, tailored to meet the digital sovereignty requirements of organizations in regulated industries, such as public services, healthcare, and energy.
In line with its commitment to water stewardship and keeping watersheds healthy and thriving in communities where it operates data centres, Google will collaborate with the Global Environment Centre (GEC) and the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) to restore Taman Aman Lake in Selangor and enhance the environment around it. This is Google’s first water stewardship project in Malaysia, which will focus on employing nature-based solutions like floating constructed wetlands and the reintroduction of local aquatic species, as well as local community engagement and education, and the promotion of sustainable waste management systems.
Speaking of sustainability, Google’s facility in Malaysia will use water-cooling technology, in line with Google’s data-driven water risk framework. This technology uses about 10% less energy compared to air-cooled facilities, resulting in 10% less carbon emissions. The company also announced that it is expanding its Solar API service to Malaysia which utilizes AI and satellite imagery to accelerate the design and installation of rooftop solar energy solutions.
To help ensure Malaysia can create a supportive ecosystem for innovation and fully capitalize on the AI opportunity, Google also announced a collaboration with UNICEF Malaysia, CelcomDigi, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), and Arus Academy to bring Future Skills for All to Selangor, with the support of the Ministry of Education (MOE). The program will train 260 teachers who will subsequently coach up to 61,000 students in Selangor.
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