Google invests ~RM9.4 billion in Malaysia with its first-ever Google Data Centre & Google Cloud Region

 Aerial View - Artist impression of Googles first data center and Google Cloud region in Malaysia.jpg 

After Microsoft’s RM10.5 billion investment announcement, Tengku Zafrul also said that Google would announce an investment in Malaysia soon. Today, Google marked a new milestone with the commitment of a US$2 billion (~RM9.4 billion) investment in the country, including the development of its first Google data centre and Google Cloud region here.

The site of the Malaysia investments will be in Sime Darby Property's Elmina Business Park, in Greater Kuala Lumpur. With the first Google data centre in the plans, this will play an essential role in enabling Google to deliver the benefits of Al to users and customers across the country. When operational, Malaysia will join the 11 countries where Google has built and now operates data centres serving users globally.

Aerial View - Site for Googles first data center and Google Cloud.jpg 

According to Google, the Google Cloud region will deliver high-performance and low-latency services to large enterprises, startups, and public sector organizations. Customers will also benefit from key controls that allow them to maintain the highest security, data residency, and compliance standards, including specific data storage requirements.

Complemented by Google Cloud's existing Dedicated Cloud Interconnect locations in Cyberjaya and Kuala Lumpur, the cloud region will provide direct connections between an organization's on-premises network and Google Cloud's global network. The Malaysia cloud region will join 40 regions and 121 zones currently in operation around the world.

In alignment with the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) National Digital Education Policy, Google has launched two programs for students and educators. These programs expand Google’s commitment to making digital skills more accessible to Malaysians.

  1. Gemini Academy: Designed to help educators safely and responsibly use generative AI tools, such as Gemini, to boost productivity, it has benefitted more than 600 educators in Malaysia since its pilot phase in November 2023. MOE is formally expanding the program to more educational institutions, intending to benefit 15,000 educators by the end of 2024.
  2. Experience AI: Launched last month in Malaysia by Google DeepMind, the Raspberry Pi Foundation, and the Penang Science Cluster, Experience AI is designed to increase educators’ knowledge and confidence in delivering lessons about AI to students aged 11 to 14, by providing them with in-person training and equipping them with interactive lesson materials and tutorials. The program initially aims to train 1,000 educators to reach 10,000 students across Malaysia.

 

In November 2023, the Government of Malaysia and Google entered into a strategic collaboration to create inclusive growth opportunities for more Malaysians and homegrown companies using Al and cloud technologies. The partnership is estimated to support more than US$3.2 billion in contributions to Malaysia’s GDP and 26,500 jobs by 2030, which aligns with the MADANI Economy Framework and NIMP 2030.