Google investment will boost Malaysia's digital transformation, says PM Anwar

Source: The Star

PETALING JAYA: Google's US$2bil(RM9.4bil) investment commitment in Malaysia will support the government's agenda to expedite and smoothen the country's digital transformation, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic).

The Prime Minister said this while announcing the tech giant was set to establish a data centre and Google Cloud region in the country.

He said that this investment would create more than 26,000 job opportunities and have a multiplier effect on the economy.

"This investment is expected to spur a multiplier effect on the Malaysian economy (which is estimated to be around) US$3.2bil (RM15.04bil) and create a total of 26,500 jobs by 2030," he said in a Facebook post on Thursday (May 30).

"The direct investment through the establishment of the first Google data centre in Malaysia and the development of Google Cloud in the region proves that the government's clear planning, along with the economy's strength and country's resources, have drawn existing and new investors," he added.

Anwar said this has propelled Malaysia's footing as one of the key players in the use of digital technology as well as a support service provider.

"In a virtual meeting with the senior management of Google on May 6, I emphasised that aside from the use of artificial intelligence, there must be strategic cooperation in the areas of education, healthcare and agriculture," he said.

"This is important to ensure that Malaysia can benefit from the skills and latest technology-based approaches," he added.

Earlier, the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) said the centre would be located in Sime Darby Property's Elmina Business Park in Greater Kuala Lumpur.

According to Miti, the Google data centre would power Google's popular digital services, such as Search, Maps, and Workspace, while also playing an essential role in enabling Google to deliver the benefits of Al to users across the country.