Google commits additional US$15b to Malaysia data centre expansion over two years, projects 37,000 jobs as Anwar hails investment

Alphabet and Google president and chief investment officer Ruth Porat said the investment would 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. — Picture courtesy of Google

By Muhammad Yusry

First Published: Wednesday, 04 Nov 2026 6:18 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 — 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 gross domestic product (GDP).

Alphabet and Google president and chief investment officer Ruth Porat said the investment would 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.

“We are very excited about expanding our digital infrastructure here responsibly, investing in resource stewardship, clean energy initiatives, as well as new skilling programmes in order to open pathways to economic opportunity for Malaysians across the country,” she said at the Mantap Malaysia Bersama AI at Universiti Malaya here.

She said the construction phase, scheduled for 2027 and 2028, was 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.

Porat said the investment reflected Google’s confidence in Malaysia’s leadership, skilled workforce and commitment to digital transformation, while strengthening the company’s presence in the country and Southeast Asia.

She added that Google was working with more than 80 Malaysian entities across sectors including 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 the investment as a major milestone in Malaysia’s efforts to become a leading digital powerhouse in South-east Asia.

He said foreign direct investment was indispensable to the country’s economic development, but its benefits should extend beyond capital inflows and infrastructure to strengthen local businesses, develop human capital and ensure responsible management of natural resources.

“What is especially gratifying is how Google has chosen to work with our domestic private sector, universities and research centres,” he said.

Anwar said Google’s partnerships with more than 80 Malaysian entities demonstrated the capabilities of local companies to participate in major international projects and strengthen their competitiveness.

He also welcomed Google’s commitment to upskill 800,000 Malaysians by 2031 through four programmes targeting educators and students, microentrepreneurs, local council officers and vocational jobseekers.

On energy, Anwar 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.

He also highlighted Google’s water stewardship initiatives, including plans to develop an off-river storage reservoir and water treatment plant in Negeri Sembilan, which are expected to supply 65 million litres of treated water daily.

Anwar said the facility would help mitigate flood risks during the monsoon season, secure water reserves during dry periods and strengthen water supply, with ownership to be handed over to the state government upon completion.

When asked by reporters if Google had done enough for environmental concerns, Anwar briefly said “yes, these are the conditions imposed and they’ve accepted it.”

Google said the US$15 billion investment builds on its more than 15-year presence in Malaysia and expands on its digital infrastructure investment announced in 2024.

Google had previously announced a US$2 billion investment in Malaysia in May 2024, including the development of its first data centre and Google Cloud region in the country, both based in Elmina Business Park, Selangor.