Key Takeaways
- • Google will invest an additional US$15 billion (RM61 billion) in Malaysia over the next two years to expand its data centre infrastructure, which is expected to contribute an annual average of US$1.1 billion to the country's GDP.
- • Construction phase scheduled for 2027 and 2028 is projected to support more than 37,000 local jobs annually, with average annual labour 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.
- • Google is working with more than 80 Malaysian entities and has committed to upskilling 800,000 Malaysians by 2031, while adding more than 1 gigawatt of clean energy capacity to the grid with Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB).
- • The investment builds on Google's US$2 billion commitment announced in May 2024 and its more than 15-year presence in Malaysia.
Summary
Google will invest an additional US$15 billion (RM61 billion) in Malaysia over the next two years to expand its data centre infrastructure, according to the Malay Mail. The investment is expected to contribute an annual average of US$1.1 billion to the country's gross domestic product. Alphabet and Google president and chief investment officer Ruth Porat said the capital will cover the expansion of Google's existing data centre campus at Elmina Business Park in Selangor, as well as new planned campuses in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.
Porat said the construction phase, scheduled for 2027 and 2028, is expected to support more than 37,000 local jobs annually and generate an average annual labour 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. She said the investment reflects Google's confidence in Malaysia's leadership, skilled workforce and commitment to digital transformation. Google is working with more than 80 Malaysian entities across 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 it as a major milestone in Malaysia's ambition to become a leading digital powerhouse in South-east Asia. He stressed that foreign direct investment should deliver benefits beyond capital and infrastructure, including stronger local businesses, human capital development and responsible management of natural resources. Anwar welcomed Google's commitment to upskill 800,000 Malaysians by 2031, and said Google would work with Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) to add more than 1 gigawatt of clean energy capacity to the national grid without relying on public subsidies.
Google's water stewardship plans include an off-river storage reservoir and water treatment plant in Negeri Sembilan, expected to supply 65 million litres of treated water daily. Anwar said the facility would help mitigate monsoon flood risks and secure water reserves during dry periods, with ownership to transfer to the state government upon completion. Asked whether Google had done enough on environmental concerns, Anwar said the conditions had been imposed and accepted.
Google said the latest commitment builds on its more than 15-year presence in Malaysia and expands on the US$2 billion investment announced in May 2024, which included its first data centre and Google Cloud region at Elmina Business Park.
Porat said the construction phase, scheduled for 2027 and 2028, is expected to support more than 37,000 local jobs annually and generate an average annual labour 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. She said the investment reflects Google's confidence in Malaysia's leadership, skilled workforce and commitment to digital transformation. Google is working with more than 80 Malaysian entities across 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 it as a major milestone in Malaysia's ambition to become a leading digital powerhouse in South-east Asia. He stressed that foreign direct investment should deliver benefits beyond capital and infrastructure, including stronger local businesses, human capital development and responsible management of natural resources. Anwar welcomed Google's commitment to upskill 800,000 Malaysians by 2031, and said Google would work with Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) to add more than 1 gigawatt of clean energy capacity to the national grid without relying on public subsidies.
Google's water stewardship plans include an off-river storage reservoir and water treatment plant in Negeri Sembilan, expected to supply 65 million litres of treated water daily. Anwar said the facility would help mitigate monsoon flood risks and secure water reserves during dry periods, with ownership to transfer to the state government upon completion. Asked whether Google had done enough on environmental concerns, Anwar said the conditions had been imposed and accepted.
Google said the latest commitment builds on its more than 15-year presence in Malaysia and expands on the US$2 billion investment announced in May 2024, which included its first data centre and Google Cloud region at Elmina Business Park.
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