Anwar: Google’s US$2 bln project in Malaysia exceeding expectations, on track

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 26): The progress of Google’s US$2 billion (US$1 = RM3.90) investment in Malaysia is advancing strongly and exceeding initial expectations, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.

Anwar said this in a Facebook post after holding a video conference this morning with Alphabet and Google president and chief investment officer Ruth Porat and her team.

“I assured them that the government remains consistent in facilitating and supporting announced investments by the multinational technology corporation,” he said.

He added that the discussion focused on the progress of Google’s US$2 billion investment in Malaysia, announced in May 2024.

Anwar said the investment reflects continued confidence in Malaysia’s digital economy ecosystem and aligns with the aspiration to position the country as a regional hub for secure data flows, cloud computing and artificial intelligence innovation.

“This investment covers the development and operation of Google’s first data centre and cloud services infrastructure in Malaysia. Once operational, it is expected to generate an economic impact of US$3.2 billion and create 26,500 jobs by 2030,” he said.

In 2024, Google announced its RM9.4 billion investment commitment in Malaysia, which includes the development of its first data centre and a Google Cloud region to meet growing demand for cloud services locally and globally, as well as an artificial intelligence (AI) literacy programme for students and educators in the country. – Bernama