Google to Invest US$15 Billion in Malaysia, Targets Over 37,000 Jobs Annually
KUALA LUMPUR: Google has announced a US$15 billion (approximately RM61.1 billion) investment in Malaysia for the period from 2027 to 2028, covering the expansion of digital infrastructure, data centre development, clean energy initiatives and water resource management.
The announcement was made on Wednesday during Google’s New Strategic Investment event at Universiti Malaya’s Tunku Chancellor Hall here, as part of the Mantap Malaysia Bersama AI programme.
The investment is expected to contribute an average of US$1.1 billion (approximately RM4.7 billion) annually to Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and create more than 37,000 local jobs each year during the construction phase from 2027 to 2028.
In a statement, Google said the investment builds on its presence in Malaysia for more than 15 years and includes the development of data centre campuses in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, including its first campus at Elmina Business Park in Selangor, which is now operational.
Alphabet and Google President and Chief Investment Officer Ruth Porat said the investment reflects the company’s commitment to expanding its operations responsibly while delivering long-term benefits to Malaysia’s economy and people.
“This investment aligns with Malaysia’s development priorities by providing the foundational computing capacity needed to ensure the benefits of innovation are enjoyed nationwide, while also expanding local energy and water resources alongside our growing operations,” she said.
Once operational, the facilities are projected to support more than 9,000 local jobs on an ongoing basis each year, with average salaries 45 per cent higher than the national median.
In addition to employment opportunities, Google also announced four new programmes aimed at upskilling 800,000 Malaysians by 2031, targeting educators and young people, micro-entrepreneurs, civil servants and vocational job seekers.
The initiatives include AI literacy training in schools, digitalisation programmes for small businesses, AI upskilling for civil servants and the establishment of data centre institutes at selected polytechnics in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan beginning in 2027.
In terms of sustainability, Google plans to add more than one gigawatt of clean energy capacity to the national grid through a collaboration with Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), while fully covering the electricity costs of its data centre campuses and the associated connection infrastructure costs.
The company also plans to undertake water resource management and restoration projects, including the development of an off-river water reservoir and treatment plant in Negeri Sembilan capable of supplying 65 million litres of treated water daily.
The facilities are expected to help reduce flood risks during the monsoon season, ensure water supply during dry periods and expand access to clean water for local communities.
Ownership of the facilities will be transferred to the state government upon completion as permanent public assets.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the investment plan sets a benchmark for sustainable, high-impact digital infrastructure development, in line with the Malaysia MADANI framework and the Malaysia Digital Action Plan 2030.
He said the commitment to clean energy, water resource resilience and collaboration with local institutions and enterprises would ensure that businesses, workers and communities benefit from advances in AI and digital innovation.
Astro AWANI