Data Centre Development Brings Positive Economic Spillover To Malaysia -- Google Cloud

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 (Bernama) -- Data centre infrastructure development in Malaysia will provide positive economic spillovers for the country, particularly by creating high-paying job opportunities and enhancing digital skills and education, according to Google Cloud.

Google Cloud Government Affairs and Public Policy Asia Pacific director Lim Su Ann said that, for example, for every job at a Google data centre, nine new local jobs will be created in the data centre’s location and surrounding areas, including in Selangor.

She added that Google is currently collaborating with several partners through its Future Skills for AI programme, including Arus Academy and UNICEF Malaysia, to enable teachers and students in Selangor to master digital skills and artificial intelligence (AI).

“In addition to the impact on digital usage for people and businesses, data centres will recruit a more highly technical and high-tech workforce and offer high-paying jobs,” she said on Bernama TV’s Apa Khabar Malaysia programme, in an episode titled Data Centre Development in Malaysia, on Friday.

In 2024, Google announced a US$2 billion investment (US$1 = RM4.08) in Malaysia, including the development of Google’s data centre and the region’s first Google Cloud region at Elmina Business Park in Selangor.

Lim said Malaysia is also the country with the highest use of Gemini in Southeast Asia for producing images and visuals.

She said this is important in attracting investment to Malaysia to develop data centres to meet that demand.

“Besides that, cooperatives and companies in Malaysia are at the forefront of using digital tools and services,” she said.

Regarding electricity and water usage for data centres, Lim emphasised Google’s commitment to restoring 100 per cent of the energy used.

“We will restore 100 per cent of the energy and 120 per cent of the water used back to the environment.”

“One example is our collaboration with the Petaling Jaya City Council and the Global Environment Centre to restore Tasik Taman Aman in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, where we run a park cleanup programme and channel freshwater to the water catchments around the lake,” she said.

-- BERNAMA