Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 30, 2024 – Google marked a new milestone today in its goal to accelerate digital transformation in Malaysia with the commitment of a US$2 billion investment in the country, including the development of its first Google data center and Google Cloud region to meet the growing demand for cloud services locally and around the world, and Al literacy programs for Malaysian students and educators.
The site of the Malaysia investments will be in Sime Darby Property's Elmina Business Park, in Greater Kuala Lumpur.
- The Google data center will power Google's popular digital services, such as Search, Maps, and Workspace, that billions of people and organizations worldwide, including those in Malaysia, use every day. It will also 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 centers serving users around the world.
- The Google Cloud region will deliver high-performance and low-latency services to large enterprises, startups, and public sector organizations. Google Cloud customers will benefit from key controls that allow them to maintain the highest security, data residency, and compliance standards, including specific data storage requirements. The cloud region will be complemented by Google Cloud's existing Dedicated Cloud Interconnect locations in Cyberjaya and Kuala Lumpur, which 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.
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. With today's announcement, Malaysia and Google are partnering to advance our shared work to create a supportive ecosystem for innovation and unlock the potential of digital transformation."
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. As this attracts further investments, it will spur innovation and drive growth for organizations of all sizes. We are confident that Google's partnership and continued investment will accelerate our nation’s digital transformation, contributing to the MADANI vision toward a more prosperous, technologically-advanced Malaysia.”
Investing in programs to foster Al literacy
As AI continues to transform various industries, it is crucial for educators to be equipped with the relevant knowledge and tools to prepare students for the future. In alignment with the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) National Digital Education Policy, Google has launched two programs to foster AI literacy for both students and educators. These programs expand Google’s ongoing commitment toward making digital skills more accessible to Malaysians.
- Gemini Academy: Designed to help educators safely and responsibly use generative AI tools, such as Gemini, to boost productivity, the Gemini Academy has benefitted more than 600 educators in Malaysia since the launch of its pilot phase in November 2023. MOE is now formally expanding the program to more educational institutions, with the goal of benefiting 15,000 educators by the end of 2024.
- 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 has an initial goal of training 1,000 educators in order to reach 10,000 students across Malaysia.
Supporting economic growth and a vibrant technology ecosystem
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 investments and programs announced today further advance Google’s work in Malaysia. They are estimated to support more than US$3.2 billion in contributions to Malaysia’s GDP and 26,500 jobs by 2030, according to a Google-commissioned evaluation by AlphaBeta (part of Access Partnership). Google is proud to support the country's continued digital transformation of its economy, in line with the MADANI Economy Framework and NIMP 2030.
About Google
Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. Through products and platforms like Search, Maps, Android, Google Play, Chrome, YouTube, Google Workspace, and Google Cloud, Google plays a meaningful role in the daily lives of billions of people and has become one of the most widely-known companies in the world. Google is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.
About Google Cloud
Google Cloud is the new way to the cloud, providing AI, infrastructure, developer, data, security, and collaboration tools built for today and tomorrow. Google Cloud offers a powerful, fully integrated and optimized AI stack with its own planet-scale infrastructure, custom-built chips, generative AI models and development platform, as well as AI-powered applications, to help organizations transform. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted technology partner.
Additional Quotes
YAB Dato' Sri Fadillah Yusof, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, said: “We are proud to be supporting Google’s investment into Malaysia, which includes the establishment of a state-of-the-art data center that prioritizes efficiency, sustainability, and the use of clean energy. Google's investment today aligns with Malaysia's energy transition goals, and we are confident that it will set a new benchmark for responsible development in digital infrastructure, fostering a resilient digital ecosystem that benefits both Malaysia's economy and environment.”
YB Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital, said: “The Ministry of Digital welcomes Google's strategic investment and cloud region into Malaysia. This investment decision aligns with our vision to establish Malaysia as a regional hub for secure data flows, cloud computing, and Al innovation. We look forward to a progressive partnership with Google—particularly in the sectors of healthcare, education, agriculture, manufacturing, and logistics—which will complement our initiatives in strengthening Malaysia's digital government, digital economy, and digital society, where every Malaysian will be empowered to succeed in the digital future.”
YB Rafizi Ramli, Minister of Economy, said: “The Google Cloud region in Malaysia will provide a robust foundation upon which Malaysian organizations can build and scale their digital ambitions. With Google’s best-in-class technology, businesses of all sizes will have the tools they need to innovate, optimize operations, and reach new markets. We look forward to advancing our collaboration with Google to develop AI solutions for local enterprises and creating a shared economy for clean energy. The Ministry of Economy welcomes Google’s investment. We are confident that it will support high-value jobs and create tremendous positive economic spillover effects for our communities.”
YB Fahmi Fadzil, Minister of Communications, said: “Google’s investment today is an investment in our people, our businesses, and our globally-connected future, where all Malaysians can benefit from the transformative power of technology. The Ministry of Communications warmly welcomes Google’s announcement and its continued close partnership toward accelerating Malaysia’s position in technological advancement, connectivity, and online safety.”
YB Fadhlina Sidek, Minister of Education, said: "Educators are the cornerstone of a future-ready workforce, cultivating essential skills including AI literacy and tailoring lessons for diverse learners. In line with our Digital Education Policy, the Ministry aims to bolster digital proficiency among our teachers and is collaborating with Google on initiatives like the Gemini Academy. This empowers educators to leverage AI for time-saving tasks and to create more personalized and meaningful learning experiences for students, thereby accelerating the process of developing a competitive, digitally fluent generation. We are committed to exploring new ways to strengthen our partnership with Google in support of our Digital Education Policy."
YB Loke Siew Fook, Minister of Transport, said: “Google's announcement today is a powerful affirmation of Malaysia's growing prominence in the global technology scene and our commitment to creating an investor-friendly policy environment. The Ministry of Transport welcomes Google's cloud region and data center investment and applauds the role that Google will continue to play in advancing Malaysia's economic growth and technology adoption, in partnership with the Government of Malaysia.”
Ir. Dr. Megat Zuhairy Megat Tajuddin, Chief Executive, National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA), said: “Google's expansion of its secure and resilient cloud infrastructure to Malaysia marks a significant milestone in the country's cybersecurity landscape. This move not only reflects Google's commitment to establishing advanced cloud infrastructure solutions but also underscores its dedication to supporting Malaysia's efforts in fortifying its digital defenses. NACSA welcomes Google’s investment in the increased security posture of our nation, and we look forward to a continued partnership in bolstering Malaysia’s defense against cyber threats.”
Mr. Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Chief Executive Officer, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), said: “MIDA is honored to play a crucial role in Google's latest investment journey, following our strategic collaboration through the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in November 2023. Google’s decision to establish its first data center in Malaysia demonstrates their confidence in our robust infrastructure, skilled workforce, and favorable business climate. This data center will not only bring Google's advanced cloud, data analytics, and AI services closer to local businesses, educational institutions, and the rakyat, it will also solidify Malaysia's position as a regional innovation hub, empowering users and ecosystem players alike to harness cutting-edge technology for their growth and development. MIDA remains committed to facilitating further investments and supporting Google's continued growth in Malaysia.”
Dato’ Azmir Merican, Group Managing Director, Sime Darby Property Bhd, said: “We are pleased to be Google’s partner of choice for their first data center in Malaysia. This project is expected to significantly benefit Malaysia’s economy. Google’s confidence in Sime Darby Property underscores our capability to meet the needs of leading technology companies. This precedent positions Elmina Business Park and our industrial portfolio as premier hubs for technological development.”