Malaysia appears to be taking pole position in securing investments in Asean’s semiconductor-chip race due to its established supply chain, talent pool, abundant land and energy, as well as affordable business costs, said Maybank Investment Bank Bhd (Maybank IB). 

It noted that approved investment commitments into Malaysia’s electrical and electronics (E&E) cluster nearly tripled in 2023 from the previous year.

“The momentum continued in the first quarter of 2024 (1Q2024), with investments soaring nearly 20-fold year-over-year to US$7.3 billion,” it said in a research note on Monday. 

According to the investment bank, both Malaysia and Vietnam have seen notable increases in their semiconductor export shares between 2015 and 2022, demonstrating the countries’ success in attracting chip-making investments. 

Maybank IB highlighted that Asean is the world’s largest semiconductor exporter, accounting for 23% of global chip exports in 2022, with Singapore (10.8%) and Malaysia (7.0%) being leaders in the region.

Malaysia’s edge lies in downstream assembly, testing and packaging (ATP), accounting for 7.0% of global ATP capacity, the largest in Asean.

Maybank IB noted that several trade-sensitive Asean economies, including Malaysia, are benefitting from an upturn in the global semiconductor and broader electronic cycle in 2024.

“Asean is benefitting from the diversification of global chipmakers’ supply chain beyond North Asia, amid intensifying United States tech sanctions on China, and rising tensions between China and Taiwan,” it said. 

The investment bank said the influx of semiconductor foreign direct investments would help drive manufacturing and export growth in Asean over the longer term.

Moving forward, Maybank IB expects Asean’s electronics sector’s recovery to strengthen and broaden over the second half of 2024 (2H2024) and in 2025.

The research bank said the rise in final electronics goods sales should fuel semiconductor demand, supporting Singapore and Malaysia’s exports. 

“Demand will broaden beyond advanced-node chips, given that smartphones depend on a wide range of memory chips and legacy chips for global positioning system (GPS), wi-fi, battery life and camera controls,” it said. 

It noted that Malaysia unveiled a National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS) in May 2024, backed by US$5.3 billion (RM25 billion) in fiscal support and targeted incentives.

The NSS will be implemented in three phases, with the aim to court RM500 billion of domestic direct investment and foreign direct investment in phase 1; establish at least 10 homegrown companies in design and advanced packaging with at least RM1 billion of revenues in phase 2; and develop a global research and development hub for semiconductors in phase 3.

Source: Bernama

Malaysia taking the lead in Asean’s semiconductor chip race investments — Maybank IB

Open DC Sdn Bhd’s data centre in the Delapan Special Border Economic Zone (Delapan SBEZ), Kedah, is set to be operational by early 2025, said founder and managing director Weng Yew Wong.

He said the next-generation facility is designed to meet the increasing demands of artificial intelligence (AI) and power-intensive workloads while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainability.

“Data centres will continue to support AI-technology development by improving computing power, optimising energy consumption, and enhancing security and data management capabilities,” Weng said in an exclusive interview with SunBiz.

He said that although specific AI integration plans are yet to be publicly detailed, the company anticipates leveraging AI to optimise cooling, enhance power usage effectiveness and better integrate renewable energy. “We anticipate AI integration will lead to smart cooling systems, energy-efficient optimisation, resource management, and automated energy management.”

In scaling sustainability, he highlighted that the growing demand for AI data centres requires high power and water consumption.

“To address this, the company is scaling its infrastructure with sustainability as a guiding principle. Data centres are actively minimising their environmental impact and promoting sustainability through energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, and advanced cooling systems,” Weng said.

He added that these efforts are aimed at balancing the need for increased capacity with a commitment to environmental responsibility.

Weng said addressing power and cooling issues is critical to successfully operating graphics processing units.

“To manage the increased power consumption from AI workloads, the company is implementing advanced cooling technologies, including direct-to-chip liquid cooling and indirect evaporative cooling. Innovative technologies like liquid cooling are transforming how data centres operate, significantly lowering energy usage,” he noted.

In reducing carbon footprints, he said, Open DC is committed to sustainability and has implemented several measures to minimise impact on the environment.

“By sourcing at least 80% of our energy requirements from renewable sources, the company aims to significantly reduce its carbon footprint. Our carbon emission reduction plan will be realised through the implementation of cutting-edge energy-efficient technologies,” Weng said, underscoring the importance of smart cooling systems and efficient infrastructure in achieving these goals.

He said the development of Open DC’s data centre in Delapan SBEZ will have a significant impact on the economy, as it will attract a large amount of national and international investment.

Open DC aims to leverage Malaysia’s position as a strategic hub in Southeast Asia and connectivity to solidify the company’s role as a key player in the regional digital infrastructure landscape.

“We see the role of the company in attracting regional players to put their workload and content in Malaysia to fulfil their regional traffic distribution objectives,” Weng said.

The partnership with DE-CIX Malaysia, an operator of carrier and data centre-neutral internet exchanges, underlines Open DC’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and developing robust digital infrastructure, he said. “Our ambition is to become the market leader in the creation of digital ecosystems centering on our strategically located data centres.”

Open DC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Extreme Broadband Sdn Bhd, currently operates four data centres – one each in Cyberjaya and Penang, and two in Johor.

Source: The Sun

AI and sustainability at core of Open DC’s next-gen data centre in Delapan SBEZ

MALAYSIA’S status as South-East Asia’s fastest-growing data centre hub will not only spur the growth of the digital economy but also be a catalyst in the nation’s transition towards renewable energy (RE). 

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Electrical Engineering Faculty Assoc Prof Dr Jasrul Jamani Jamian said the inflow of data centre players to Malaysia helps the government in optimising the country’s existing electricity generation capacity. 

At the same time, he said, it will be a driver in realising the government’s efforts towards an RE generation capacity target of 70% or 56 gigawatts in the energy sector by 2050. 

From 2021 to 2023, Malaysia approved investments worth RM114.7 billion in data centres and cloud services. 

It was also reported recently that Moody’s Ratings projected the power requirement for data centres in Malaysia to double to about 500 megawatts in the next two years. 

“It is high time for power generation using hydrocarbon such as coal and gas, especially those that have been operational for 25 to 30 years, to be replaced with RE, which is more efficient and environmentally friendly,” Jasrul Jamani told Bernama. 

He said in expanding electricity generation, there is a significant need to transition towards RE from low-efficiency operations. 

“The government is actually already moving in that direction, such as through the implementation of the Fifth Large-Scale Solar (LSS5) programme currently and the upcoming LSS6,” he said.

He noted that under the National Energy Transition Roadmap, with the high RE penetration, the country will require a large energy storage capability to ensure a stable RE dispatch.The development of a large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) using state-of-the-art technology is in line with the rise in RE capacity.

BESS, he said, will ensure that there will be no energy supply disruption affecting data centre operations. 

Jasrul Jamani said BESS will also help data centre operators in reducing electricity bill cost by storing energy outside peak hours and using it during peak hours. 

“Therefore, the development of data centres in Malaysia is in tandem with national efforts to transition from conventional power generation to RE generation,” he said. 

He added that the setting up of more data centres in Malaysia will bring revenue gains for Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) as the data centre industry requires a high and continuous supply of electricity. 

TNB’s system has an excellent stability and capability level for meeting the needs of all consumers, including data centres, based on its projected power reserve margin of 28% to 36% in Peninsular Malaysia from 2024 to 2030. 

“Some people may have the notion that TNB should build a new power plant given that there will be a lot of data centres using a high amount of electricity. That is not the case. 

“As we have surplus capacity and a high-power reserve margin, the presence of data centres actually translates into good business for TNB,” he said. 

Jasrul Jamani added that there is no issue about reliability or grid stability being affected due to the data centre development, as the utility firm has the capacity to support the high demand from data centres.

Source: Bernama

Data centre growth supports Malaysia’s transition to RE

India’s Eros Investment Group will invest US$1 billion via Immerso AI-IP to build an artificial intelligence (AI) film city in Malaysia, said Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo.

In a statement today, the minister said both ventures will potentially create 5,000 jobs over the next five years.

Gobind’s recent trip to New Delhi included a meeting with Immerso AI-IP chief executive officer Ali Hussein.

Immerso AI-IP is a part of Eros Investments Group.

“I was informed that the Immerso AI Park will encompass an AI university and an AI data centre. It will drive global collaborations to support startups.”The AI movie studio and film city hub will enhance talent skills in transmedia and digital productions in Malaysia,” he added.

Gobind said the ventures will also identify opportunities to incorporate Malaysian content into the companies’ existing and new intellectual properties (IPs).

Additionally, under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Nasscom, local talents will receive training in crucial digital fields such as Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, software development, and Next Gen technologies.

Investments in Malaysia’s digital content sector rose significantly to RM1.6 billion last year, up from RM550 million in 2022, via MDEC’s Malaysia Digital initiative.

Source: NST

Eros Investments to build Malaysia’s first AI film city with US$1b

Sarawak aspires to achieve a 10-gigawatt renewable energy mix by 2030 amid its shift to a green economy that heavily depends on sustainable energy, said the Premier.

Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Sarawak is actively exploring innovative methods to harness energy through hydropower potential, solar, biomass, sustainable fuels, and hydrogen.

“These efforts create a dynamic landscape for investors interested in sustainable and renewable energy solutions,” he said in his keynote address at the Asean Business Forum 2024 in Sydney, Australia today.

“Moreover, renewable energy has emerged as a significant draw for investors who are committed to reducing their carbon footprint and contributing to a greener future.”

Abang Johari pointed out that Sarawak is leading the way in the hydrogen economy within Asean alongside the state’s goals for renewable energy.

“Our efforts in hydrogen show how dedicated we are to innovation and our dream of being a global leader in clean energy. Sarawak is a key player to Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap, developing a green hydrogen hub.

“This is possible due to our vast hydropower potential. This new and exciting economy opens up numerous opportunities for investment, from developing new technology like electrolysers and fuel cells to building energy storage systems and integrating use in the transport sectors,” he said.

He shared that during his recent address at the H2Poland Forum in Poznan, he had emphasised the critical importance of global collaboration, effective policies, and relentless innovation in building a sustainable future.

The Premier said he had also highlighted how green bonds and international financing were essential for speeding up the adoption of advanced climate technologies, showing that these financial tools were key to making Sarawak’s sustainable ambitions a reality.

Sarawak is not just pursuing sustainable energy and a green economy but also committed to achieving net zero emissions, he said.

“We are making strong efforts to decarbonise high-emitting sectors, ensuring that our economic growth aligns with our responsibility to the environment.

“By investing in green hydrogen and clean energy, we are moving beyond traditional industries like oil, gas, and timber. My goal is clear – to boost economic productivity while reducing emissions,” he said.

By embracing innovation and clean energy, he said Sarawak is working to build a future that grows responsibly and serves as a model for others to follow.

He added that Sarawak is making significant strides in Southeast Asia when it comes to Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) technology.

“We were also the first in Malaysia to pass laws that support CCUS and other carbon-related activities. This demonstrates our strong commitment to achieving our net zero emissions goal and sets a benchmark for others to follow,” he said.

In addition, Abang Johari said Sarawak aims to have solar energy make up 12 per cent of its total capacity mix by 2030.

He said this will not only help the state reduce its carbon footprint but also contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sector.

“Our hydropower provides clean, reliable energy, supporting local industries and enabling us to export surplus power. Since 2010, we’ve reduced our grid emissions by 73 per cent, showcasing our dedication to achieving net zero and advancing green economy,” he added.

He said he is committed to reshaping Sarawak’s energy sector and driving economic growth, and this progress had earned Sarawak recognition as a high-income state by the World Bank.

“I am thrilled to share that the World Bank has officially classified Sarawak as a high-income economy, with a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita approximately US$18,000 (RM77,742),” he said.

From groundbreaking advances in CCUS to ambitious goals for renewable energy and major reductions in emissions, Abang Johari said Sarawak is at the forefront of the regional green transition.

He said the transition is essential for Sarawak to achieve its net zero goal.

“As we move ahead, we need to decouple our economic growth from environmental impacts, while ensuring that the growth is inclusive and distributed.

“We cannot do this alone. I invite all of you to strengthen the Australia-Asean partnership with us in innovation and economic collaboration. Let us continue to innovate, collaborate, and strive towards a more sustainable and prosperous future for Sarawak, Asean, and beyond,” he added.

Source: Borneo Post

Abg Jo: Sarawak wants 10-gigawatt renewable energy mix by 2030

The shift to green energy is supercharging the demand for critical minerals and Malaysians stand to benefit from it, according to an analysis released today by global real estate technology group Juwai IQI.

Its co-founder and group CEO Kashif Ansari said the green transition is an opportunity to build a stronger Malaysian economy as the country has rich reserves of critical minerals.

Combined with its strategic location, industrial strength and position, it can take advantage of this demand, Kashif said in a statement today.

“Malaysia’s reserves of ‘rare earth elements’ can create more highpaying jobs and export income. Companies around the world are eager to find new suppliers,” he said.

Kashif said Malaysia has RM4.1 trillion of mineral resources, including RM745 billion worth of rare earths; Malaysia’s estimated metallic minerals alone is RM1 trillion.

“By expanding its role in processing and manufacturing these minerals, Malaysia can create new jobs, drive economic growth, and ensure the country remains competitive globally. Government initiatives like the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 are helping to turn this into reality,” he added.

Nevertheless, Kashif noted that becoming a larger exporter of critical minerals also has risks. This includes environmental damage if the industry is not managed sustainability.

With smart investments and a focus on sustainability, Juwai IQI said Malaysia has the potential to help lead the global green energy revolution to create a brighter, wealthier future for its people.

Kashif said the critical minerals boom will have a significant impact on Malaysia’s real estate market, increasing demand for industrial space and land where mineral reserves are present, driving new residential and commercial development, and helping push up property demand and house values.

The increased need for industrial space is the most direct real estate impact, he said.

“The new mining and processing investment will also spur residential and commercial real estate development in key regions. We especially expect this in Pahang, Perak, and Kedah, because
they have rich deposits of critical minerals,” said Kashif.

Source: Bernama

Malaysia To Benefit From Green Energy Shift — Juwai IQI

The Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (Miti) is collaborating with the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) to ensure a ready skilled workforce to support the nation’s adoption of artificial intelligence (AI).

Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said that both ministries have presented a talent development proposal to the Ministry of Finance (MOF) for inclusion in the upcoming Budget 2025.

“I have discussed with the Minister of Higher Education on the importance of preparing the industry with AI-ready talent. This will ensure that when the industry adopts AI, the necessary workforce is available to join these companies,” Tengku Zafrul told the media after officiating the AI Conference 2024 here on Tuesday.

Earlier in his speech, Tengku Zafrul emphasised that the government’s goals under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 are to leverage digitalisation to create high-value jobs, enhance productivity, and foster sustainable growth.

“By aiming to create 3,000 smart factories, we will ensure manufacturers are well-equipped to adopt and integrate AI and digital technology into their operations,” he noted.

Under the National Artificial Intelligence Roadmap launched in May this year, Malaysia aims to become a global AI leader by 2030 by advancing AI research and innovation, nurturing a vibrant AI ecosystem, and promoting responsible AI usage, Tengku Zafrul said.

As AI presents both unprecedented opportunities and unexpected challenges, Tengku Zafrul highlighted that Miti, alongside the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) and other key ministries, agencies and stakeholders, must play an active role in positioning Malaysia at the forefront of the global AI revolution.

Tengku Zafrul also noted that Malaysia’s AI ambitions are closely tied to the success of the electrical and electronics (E&E) industry, which in 2023 produced 13% of global back-end semiconductors, driving 40% of exports and contributing 5.8% to the country’s gross domestic product.

As of July 2024, 40% of Malaysia’s exports, worth RM51.78 billion, were E&E products, with semiconductors being a major part. As a result, Malaysia is now the sixth-largest semiconductor exporter globally.

Source: The Edge Malaysia

Zafrul: MITI partners MOHE on AI talent development, presents proposal to MOF for Budget 2025

Artificial intelligence-ready talent is crucial for industries and Malaysia’s economic future, said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz

He said the ministry (Miti) has already discussed this issue with the Ministry of Higher Education.

“We are collaborating to ensure that the talent pipeline, starting from universities, is well-trained in AI. This will ensure that as industries adopt AI, they will have skilled professionals ready to join their companies,” he told reporters at the AI Conference 2024 today.

Tengku Zafrul said Miti is actively working on this initiative and plans to present its ideas to the finance minister, particularly for the upcoming budget, to support AI development and adoption in the country.

“The AI incentives mentioned are crucial for fostering talent. Under the National Industrial Master Plan (NIMP 2030), there are initiatives aimed at enhancing tech adoption, with a target of reaching 3,000 companies.

“These companies need to be AI-ready, and support is essential, especially for local small and medium enterprises, to adopt the latest technologies, including AI. This forms part of the broader plan.”

Separately, Tengku Zafrul highlighted the pivotal role of semiconductors in supporting Malaysia’s reindustrialisation under NIMP 2030 and the digital economy.

He noted that, as of July 2024, almost 40% of Malaysia’s exports, amounting to RM51.78 billion, were from the electrical and electronics (E&E) sector, largely due to semiconductors.

“Malaysia’s E&E industry produces 13% of the world’s back-end semiconductors, driving 40% of the country’s export output and contributing approximately 5.8% to the GDP in 2023,” he said in his speech.

AI Conference 2024, themed ‘AI Driving the National Economy: Opportunities & Challenges’, was held at Brickfields Asia College. The event brought together industry leaders, government officials and AI experts to discuss the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on Malaysia’s economy and productivity.

Malaysia Productivity Corporation director-general Zahid Ismail highlighted the significant productivity gains driven by AI, noting a 2.05% year-on-year increase in productivity as of March.

“Sectors more exposed to AI are experiencing nearly five times greater labour productivity growth. Despite Malaysia slipping in the World Competitiveness Ranking to 34th place, recent improvements in trade, with a 10% increase as of May 2024, demonstrate the country’s resilience and potential for recovery,” he said.

Zahid stressed that AI-driven growth is key to enhancing national productivity and economic strength.

Source: The Sun

AI-ready workforce crucial for Malaysia’s economic future, says Tengku Zafrul

Sarawak is making significant strides in sustainable forest management and renewable energy, positioning itself as a leader in environmental stewardship, says Deputy Premier Datuk Awang Tengah Ali Hassan.

Speaking at the Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Forest Landscape Restoration, Awang Tengah said that Sarawak’s titles of “Asean Battery” and “Green Energy Hub” were not just rhetoric. 

“Sarawak has the necessary resources and is actively working towards realising these visions.

“Our unwavering commitment to sustainability is clearly reflected in our comprehensive green economy initiatives,” he said.

Sarawak is at the forefront of Malaysia’s transition to a low-carbon economy, pioneering efforts in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production and exploring advanced carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technologies. 

“By embracing these innovative solutions, Sarawak is not only mitigating climate change impacts but also creating new industries and high-quality jobs,” he added.

Awang Tengah, who is also Sarawak’s Second Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development, said the state had shown its dedication on sustainable development, prioritising environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. 

This commitment is central to Sarawak’s goal of becoming a developed region by 2030.

Regarding forest conservation, Awang Tengah stressed on Sarawak’s dedication in protecting its 130-million-year-old rainforest which is rich in biodiversity. 

Under the Sarawak Land Use Policy, 7 million hectares of forest are allocated for sustainable forestry and conservation purposes.

Despite the challenges posed by climate change and deforestation, Sarawak is committed to sustainable forest management (SFM) and has implemented best practices in this area. 

“SFM is crucial for balancing economic, social, and environmental well-being, enhancing local livelihoods, creating employment, and safeguarding the environment,” he said.

To ensure adherence to international sustainability standards, Sarawak has mandated that all long-term forest timber licences obtain Forest Management Certification (FMC). 

To date, 26 Forest Management Units (FMUs) and eight Forest Plantation Management Units (FPMUs), covering 2.38 million hectares and 122,800 hectares respectively, have been certified.

Awang Tengah also highlighted Sarawak’s leadership in the Greening Malaysia Campaign, a national initiative aiming to plant 100 million trees by 2025. 

Sarawak set a goal to plant 35 million trees by 2025 and achieved this target a year ahead of schedule. 

“This achievement is a testament to Sarawak’s commitment to environmental stewardship,” he said.

Source: NST

Sarawak leads green revolution with bold environmental initiatives

Sarawak’s pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) potential is high and could potentially contribute to the focus on renewables and green solutions for the state, said Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi.

The Minister for Utility and Telecommunication said two potential sites have been identified for proof-of-concept studies, and a successful first model will assist in identifying more sites.

“One of the facilities is envisioned to be developed between our Bakun and Murum hydroelectric plants. The other facility will be built in the Padawan area of Kuching,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Julaihi, who is currently leading a Sarawak delegation to Australia, believes the potential application of PHES in the state, once proven to be feasible, ‘is large’.

The delegation is in Australia to study the country’s energy transition and sustainable development journey, specifically its experience with PHES.

“Even beyond PHES, Sarawak and Australia can learn from one another with potential areas of collaboration and partnership driving the energy transition in the respective regions.

“Sarawak will potentially apply these relevant aspects to the state’s own energy transition policy and plan with the support ofP4I,” he said, following a meeting with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) in Australia.

With the support of Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) as the implementing agency, the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication has been driving the shift to renewables with an emphasis on renewable hydropower development, he added.

Julaihi informed the delegation host that Sarawak had first embarked on its energy transition programme with the launch of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) in 2008, harnessing the state’s hydropower potential to power Sarawak’s growth and development.

“In 2021, Sarawak also launched the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which has identified renewable energy as a key enabler for Sarawak’s transformation into a high-income society by 2030. Under PCDS, Sarawak is also exploring various renewable energy resources or technologies available.

“To progress, we have been tasked with achieving 10 gigawatts by 2030, from 5,745 megawatts of energy as of December 2023,” he said.

The Sarawak government is confident that it will achieve the goal by continuing to advance sustainability and renewable strategies, including leveraging resources such as solar, biomass, and hydropower, with the latter being the foundation of the state’s energy transition.

Among those present were SEB chief operating officer James Ung and Australian National University Prof Andrew Blakers.

Source: Borneo Post

S’wak’s PHES potential high, could boost renewable focus, says Julaihi

Based on projected advancements in energy transition technology, Malaysia needs 62,000 skilled workers to achieve the goal of generating up to 70% or 56 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2050, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

He said that this is a continuous process and new competent workers for the energy sector will be produced each year.

“The deputy minister will be tasked with focusing on these training programmes. They will go to every corner, especially in the peninsula, to attract more young people to get involved in these fields (gas and energy),” Fadillah told reporters at after the launch of TVET Competent EC – Energy Transition Catalyst today.

He said that achieving the goals of the Net Energy Transition Roadmap requires not only investors but also skilled workers to implement the energy transition goal effectively.

“If we don’t have knowledgeable and skilled workers in these technical fields, we will not be able to achieve this, including the wireman installing solar panels on rooftops, the chargeman for installing cables, and so on. We need skilled workers,” he said.

Fadillah said that unlike the construction sector, where he was previously involved in, specialised fields such as energy and gas offer higher salaries due to the need for specific expertise.

“TVET, especially in the energy and gas fields, is specialised, and because it is specialised, their salaries are better than in other sectors. They can’t get a job if they are not competent. This is different from a general plumber.

He added, “The demand in the market is quite high.”

A memorandum of understanding between the Energy Commission and the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) was signed during the event, aiming to harmonise governance and regulation concerning competencies, electrical equipment and gas between the federal and state governments.

“In Malaysia, we have three energy authorities: the Energy Commission in Peninsular Malaysia, ECoS and Sarawak Energy Sdn Bhd.

“We want to ensure there is cooperation between the federal level in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak so that it can be harmonised. It’s not just about standardisation, but the whole competency process should be unified; it shouldn’t be different in Sarawak, Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia,” he said.

The Energy Commission organised the TVET Competent ST event as part of its initiative to strengthen technical and vocational education and training programmes in the country, particularly activities related to electrical and gas pipeline competencies.

As of August, a total of 140 institutions across Malaysia have been accredited to conduct electrical and gas pipeline competency courses.

The event also aims to build professional relationships between regulatory agencies and institutions, and to reinforce the platform for continuous education in line with green technology advancements and government directions.

Source: The Sun

Fadillah: 62,000 skilled workers needed to achieve renewable energy generation goal

Seventeen more data centres will be operational in Selangor by next year, with a development cost of RM52 billion, said state executive councillor for Islam and innovation Dr Fahmi Ngah.

He said many firms are looking to invest in the industry as nearly the whole state is covered by the 5G network, improving ease of business.

“This figure (17 data centres) is a new application and we will complete it. This will not include the data centre developed by Google at Elmina Business Park, worth over RM9 billion.

“We have an extensive 5G network, which increases investor confidence. Many businesses deal in the digital world and we must utilise it,” he said during the Sembang Santai programme organised by the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) here today.

He said he expects 100 per cent 5G network coverage in the state next year, in line with Selangor’s status as the nation’s largest economic contributor.

“This is essential infrastructure. We must provide various facilities to contribute to and drive the economy,” he added.

Last year, the Selangor State Development Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding with Singapore firm RDA Ventures Pte Ltd to build three data centres in Cyberjaya.

With stakeholders including MDEC and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, the data centres will create jobs in the fields of electronics, computer science, statistics and administration.

Previously, state executive councillor for investment, trade and mobility Ng Sze Han said various parties are interested in Selangor, which hosts 18 data centres, but the state must look into aspects such as energy supply.

Source: Selangor Journal

Backed by extensive 5G network, Selangor to build 17 more data centres

The collaboration between Nvidia Corporation and YTL Power International can strengthen the artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and ensure that AI technology in Malaysia is in line with the needs and cultural values ​​of the country, said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

Tengku Zafrul said through a post on social media platform X that this collaboration could open up opportunities to develop a large language model in Bahasa Melayu and bring the fastest supercomputer to Malaysia, which will be located at the YTL Green Data Center Park, Johor, which is generated by solar energy.

“With its hi-tech AI infrastructure, Malaysia is on the right track to become a regional AI hub,” he said.

This effort is in line with the country’s aspirations under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030) to become a ‘cloud-first’ country, strengthening the local AI ecosystem.

Initiatives like this will harness innovation, create opportunities for local talents in the technology sector, as well as attract more international investments and expertise, thus strengthening Malaysia’s position on the global stage in the field of AI.

Source: Bernama

Nvidia-YTL tie-up to boost Malaysia’s AI infrastructure – Tengku Zafrul

The latest investments by Amazon Web Services (AWS) underscore that Malaysia has much to offer to foreign businesses that go beyond tax incentives, said an economist.

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said its strategic location, infrastructure, talent pool, and pro-business policies are among its key attractions.

This has resulted in the government not having to rely too much on tax incentives to attract foreign investors and businesses.

“Having said that, the type of the incoming investments have to be well diversified. In the best possible way, the government has to avoid over-concentration in sectors because this leaves the country vulnerable to a sudden change in the investment waves,” he told Bernama.

Yesterday, AWS announced a US$6.2 billion (RM29.2 billion) investment in Malaysia as part of its long-term commitment through to 2038.

This investment accompanies the launch of its AWS Asia Pacific (Malaysia) Region, providing developers, start-ups, entrepreneurs, and enterprises in Malaysia with greater options to run applications and serve end users from local AWS data centres.

The construction and operation of the new AWS Region is estimated to add approximately US$12.1 billion (RM57.3 billion) to Malaysia’s gross domestic product and will support an annual average of more than 3,500 full-time jobs through to 2038.

Today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that as part of this new relationship, AWS has signed a cloud framework agreement with the government to boost cloud adoption within the public sector.

Afzanizam added that the proliferation of data centres suggested that Malaysia could create a niche technology space and the country has already established its footprint in the semiconductor industries.

“There has been a move to uplift skillsets by promoting integrated circuit design. On that note, Malaysia has the potential to be Asia’s data centre hub, given its land mass and infrastructures,” he said.

Meanwhile, Malaysian University of Science and Technology’s economics professor Geoffrey Williams said Malaysia has the space to host more data centres; the real issue is to ensure there were spillovers to the local economy.

“Data centres are largely automated and will not create many long-term jobs. The profits will be repatriated by the foreign owners so the benefits may not stay here,” he said.

On concerns about data centres’ high usage of water and electricity, which are cheaply available in Malaysia, Afzanizam said this should be viewed from a holistic approach with the country’s green economy transition.

“This means rationalising electricity subsidies and promoting renewable energy. Perhaps, carbon trading and carbon tax are policy options that can be leveraged to have a win-win solution.

“I am sure data centre operators are well aware of this development,” he said, adding that there is common ground between the government and data centre operators.

Similarly, Williams said recent the foreign direct investment inflows have been mainly in the technology sector and these require specific resources.

The National Energy Transition Roadmap will raise renewable energy generation and because renewable energy is cheaper, this will help foreign companies to use low-carbon electricity which they cannot get at home.

“So they may be environmentally sustainable if they use renewable energy but this will put pressure on local resources which could raise costs for local communities. In that sense, they may not be socially sustainable,” he said.

Source: Bernama

Amazon Web Services investment underscores Malaysia’s many attractive offerings

The long-term investment made by Amazon Web Services (AWS), a subsidiary of Amazon.com Inc, shows investors’ confidence in the stability and policy of the MADANI Economy, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim

Anwar, via his X social media account, welcomed AWS to Malaysia and said “we are excited about the potential of this new investment and the potential for innovation resulting from tech transfer and learnings.”

Yesterday, AWS announced that it has launched the AWS Asia Pacific (Malaysia) Region with plans to invest about US$6.2 billion (about RM29.2 billion) in Malaysia through 2038.

The company said developers, startups, entrepreneurs and enterprises, as well as government, education, and non-profit organisations, will have greater choices for running their applications and serving end users from AWS data centres located in Malaysia.

Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said AWS’s investment is among the largest investments made by global technology companies in Malaysia.

“This follows a number of other recent investments announced since December 2023 by global technology leaders such as NVIDIA, Google, Microsoft, Infineon and many more. These investments recognise the achievements made by the MADANI government to create and curate an attractive, open and transparent investment environment,“ he added.

Furthermore, Anwar said as part of this new relationship, AWS has signed a Cloud Framework Agreement with the government to boost cloud adoption within the public sector.

Through the announcement by AWS, he said the global cloud technology company would invest to build physical data centres in Malaysia as the country becomes one of Amazon’s trusted 34 launched regions across its global infrastructure map.

“Over 3,500 Malaysian jobs will be directly created from these new data centres. These jobs, including construction, facility, maintenance, engineering, telecommunications and others within our broader economy, will be part of the high value AWS supply chain,“ he added.

Source: Bernama

AWS investment in Malaysia shows confidence in MADANI Economy – PM Anwar

Amazon Web Services (AWS) says it has launched the AWS Asia Pacific data centre in Malaysia to help local businesses and organisations run their applications closer to home and serve their users more efficiently.

As part of its long-term commitment, AWS is planning to invest an estimated US$6.2 billion (about RM29.2 billion) in Malaysia through 2038.

The construction and operation of the new AWS data centre is estimated to add anout US$12.1 billion (RM57.3 billion) to Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP).

It will also support an average of more than 3,500 full-time equivalent jobs at external businesses annually through 2038, AWS said in a statement today.

These jobs – including construction, facility maintenance, engineering, telecommunications, and others within the country’s broader economy – will be part of the AWS supply chain in Malaysia.  

Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the launch of an AWS infrastructure data centre here provides access to new and emerging technology for Malaysian entities and businesses of all sizes, boosting the country’s capabilities for digital innovation.

“This milestone is a significant step towards fulfilling the vision of Malaysia’s New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030 to build a highly skilled, innovative, prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable economy,” he said in the statement.

“We recognise the transformative power of digitalisation, cloud computing and AI as key drivers in Malaysia’s effort to become a manufacturing and services hub within Asia.  

“As the largest investment made by an international technology company in Malaysia, the AWS infrastructure data centre will help ensure Malaysia remains competitive on the global stage,” he added.

AWS vice president of infrastructure services Prasad Kalyanaraman said the new AWS data centre in Malaysia enables organisations across Asia Pacific to unlock the full potential of the world’s most extensive and reliable cloud.

This will help customers deploy advanced applications with a broad set of AWS technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). 

“Malaysia’s rapidly growing digital economy requires access to secure, resilient, and sustainable cloud infrastructure.

“With today’s launch, AWS is proud to support Malaysia’s digital transformation and help accelerate its role as a regional hub for AI,” he noted.

With the launch of the AWS Asia Pacific (Malaysia) data centre, AWS now has 108 availability zones across 34 geographic regions.

The company has also announced plans to add 18 more availability zones and six additional AWS data centres in Mexico, New Zealand, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand and the AWS European Sovereign Cloud.

AWS data centres are composed of availability zones that place infrastructure in separate and distinct geographic locations.

The AWS Asia Pacific (Malaysia) data centre consists of three availability zones located far enough from each other to support customers’ business continuity, but near enough to provide low latency for high availability applications that use multiple availability zones.

Each availability zone has independent power, cooling, and physical security, and is connected through redundant, ultra-low-latency networks.

AWS customers focused on high availability can design their applications to run in multiple availability zones to achieve even greater fault tolerance.

Source: NST

Amazon launches data centre in Malaysia, part of US$6.2bil investment here

The launch of the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Asia Pacific (Malaysia) Region will allow local businesses to store and process their data within the country, said AWS Malaysia country manager Pete Murray in an interview with Digital Edge. This will facilitate faster application performance and better user experience can be achieved through reduced latency.

The AWS Region will enable businesses of all sizes to access cloud-based services, which empower them to scale and compete at a global scale, said Murray. AWS also plans to collaborate with local technology partners to develop solutions and services.

The total investment associated with the AWS Region from 2024 to 2038 will be RM29.2 billion. This investment is estimated to contribute RM57.3 billion in gross domestic product during the same period. Additionally, more than 3,500 jobs are expected to be created.

The region consists of three availability zones, which are data centre clusters that have independent power, cooling and physical security that are connected through ultra-low latency networks.

“Large enterprises, critical industry participants [and] regulated industries like financial services, healthcare [and] the public sector are now able to localise the data that they use…. In addition, we’ve also seen this as very exciting for start-ups and digital native community who are able to leverage the lower latency as well as data localisation here in Malaysia but be able to go global,” said Murray.

“One of the key and critical strengths of public cloud technologies is this concept of being able to go global in minutes.”

Industries that will benefit from the AWS Region include telecommunications, data centre operations, non-residential construction, electricity generation and security services for the data centres, which consequentially will have a ripple effect on the country’s broader economy, said Murray.

Murray also reiterated AWS’ commitment to provide training and resources to help local businesses to utilise the technology. Currently, AWS Malaysia has trained over 100,000 individuals in cloud skills.

The company will also take measures to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. AWS also aims to power their operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions across its operations by 2040.

“AWS has multiple initiatives to reduce the carbon impact of the concrete required in the construction of data centres. Our new design standards require concrete that has 20% reduction of embodied carbon versus standard concrete in our US data centres. We expect to expand this requirement globally,” said Murray.

Source: The Edge Malaysia

AWS Region: Boosting local data storage and reducing latency for businesses

The ongoing United States-China trade tension has prompted the relocation of data centres to emerging markets like Malaysia, benefitting other sectors across the value chain, said Moody’s Ratings vice-president and senior credit officer, Nidhi Dhruv.

She noted that this shift is expected to have a positive impact on sectors such as telecommunications, real estate, semiconductors, heating and cooling system providers, and computing equipment manufacturers.

“When we look a little bit further, mining companies that focus on future-facing commodities such as copper would also benefit from this activity,” Nidhi said during the ‘Asia Pacific (APAC) Data Centres – Rapid Expansion Offers Benefits for Property and Telco Sectors’ webinar today.

The webinar was part of Malaysia Rating Corp Bhd’s two-day Malaysian Bond and Sukuk Conference 2024: Charting the Course for Malaysia’s Economic Future, with Moody’s Ratings being the event partner.

Currently, the data centre capacity in APAC stands at over 10,500 megawatts (MW), and is expected to grow to 24,800MW by 2028, with key markets being China, Japan, Australia, India and Singapore.

From a global viewpoint, Nidhi said that data centres in APAC account for approximately 30 per cent of the worldwide capacity development planned over the next five years, requiring an estimated investment of more than US$564 billion by 2028.

“There is already a robust development pipeline of around 4,400MW under construction, which we anticipate would be completed by year-end,” she added.

On the readiness of the APAC data centre market, she said Moody’s had looked at several factors, including cloud infrastructure presence, land availability, subsea cable connectivity, data localisation requirements, and governance.

“Governments across the region have introduced a variety of policies and initiatives that directly or indirectly promote investments in local data centres.

“These measures include tax relief, subsidies, preferential electricity rates, and a reduction in import duties, and Malaysia particularly scores high on government support,” she added.

Meanwhile, Spencer Ng, Moody’s vice-president – senior credit officer for Public, Project and Infrastructure Finance, said that rapid expansion in data centres will also have a positive impact on the utility sector in the long run, given the need for additional power to meet data centre demands.

“Power grid operators will also need to invest in network expansion and strengthening to support power delivery.

“Based on the power usage efficiency ratio of 1.2 times, we expect incremental power requirement of about 5.3 gigawatts across APAC on an unconstrained basis.

“In markets where data centre operators are looking to power their facilities with green power, we could see additional investments for renewable projects as well,” he said.

On Malaysia’s renewable energy, Ng said that Moody’s expects the power requirement for data centres to double to about 500 MW in the next two years, which sounds manageable, given the current power reserve margin of about 30 per cent.

He added that these new investments will add to the substantial investments already necessary for the net zero transition, and further expansion will be crucial.

Source: Bernama

Data centre relocation to emerging markets like Malaysia a boost to multiple sectors

Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the collaboration with electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Tesla is expected to drive Malaysia to be the main green technology hub in the region.

In a discussion with the Tesla Malaysia delegation today, the minister said Tesla has reiterated its support for the local ecosystem by involving nine Malaysian companies in developing EV charging infrastructure. It will also collaborate with local higher education institutions for knowledge transfer and human capital development.

“May this joint effort continue to grow, bringing great benefits to our country’s economy, technology, and sustainable energy,“ he said on his social media after discussions with the Tesla Malaysia delegation.

Tengku Zafrul said today’s discussion focused on the progress and implementation of the Global Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) AP Scheme.

Until the end of July 2024, Tesla has successfully installed 52 units of Supercharger chargers with a capacity of 250KW, 54 units of Wall Connector AC chargers, and more than 4,500 units of home chargers in Peninsular Malaysia.

With an investment reaching US$13.5 million (RM59.06 million), Tesla has shown a strong commitment to the development of EV charging infrastructure in Malaysia.

“We also discussed the great potential of battery energy storage technology which is expected to increase energy efficiency and the stability of Malaysia’s electricity grid,“ the minister added.

Source: Bernama

Collaboration with Tesla expected to drive Malaysia to be main green technology hub in region – Tengku Zafrul

Amazon Web Services (AWS), an Amazon.com Inc. company, has launched the AWS Asia Pacific (Malaysia) Region with plans to invest about US$6.2 billion (RM29.2 billion) in Malaysia through 2038.

In a statement issued from Seattle, the United States, the company said that starting today, developers, startups, entrepreneurs, and enterprises, as well as government, education, and non-profit organisations, will have greater choices for running their applications and serving end users from AWS data centres located in Malaysia.

“The construction and operation of the new AWS Region is estimated to add approximately US$12.1 billion (RM57.3 billion) to Malaysia’s gross domestic product and will support an average of more than 3,500 full-time equivalent jobs at external businesses annually through 2038.

“These jobs, including construction, facility maintenance, engineering, telecommunications, and others within the country’s broader economy, will be part of the AWS supply chain in Malaysia,” it said.

With the launch of the AWS Asia Pacific (Malaysia) Region, AWS has 108 availability zones across 34 geographic regions, with announced plans to launch 18 more availability zones and six more AWS Regions in Mexico, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, and the AWS European Sovereign Cloud.

It said the AWS Asia Pacific (Malaysia) Region consists of three availability zones located far enough from each other to support customers’ business continuity but near enough to provide low latency for high availability applications that use multiple availability zones.

“Each availability zone has independent power, cooling, and physical security, and is connected through redundant, ultra-low-latency networks,” AWS said.

AWS customers focused on high availability can design their applications to run in multiple availability zones to achieve even greater fault tolerance.

“With today’s launch, AWS is proud to support Malaysia’s digital transformation and help accelerate its role as a regional hub for artificial intelligence (AI),” said AWS vice-president of infrastructure services Prasad Kalyanaraman.

Meanwhile, Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the launch of an AWS infrastructure region in Malaysia provides access to new and emerging technology for Malaysian entities and businesses of all sizes, boosting our country’s capabilities for digital innovation.

This milestone is a significant step towards fulfilling the vision of Malaysia’s New Industrial Master Plan 2030 to build a highly-skilled, innovative, prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable economy.

“We recognise the transformative power of digitalisation, cloud computing and AI as key drivers in Malaysia’s effort to become a manufacturing and services hub within Asia.

“As the largest investment made by an international technology company in Malaysia, the AWS infrastructure region will help ensure Malaysia remains competitive on the global stage,” he said.

AWS offers the broadest and deepest portfolio of services, including analytics, computing, database, the Internet of Things, generative AI, machine learning, mobile services, storage, and other cloud technologies.

Customers from startups and enterprises to public sector organisations and non-profits would be able to use advanced technologies from the world’s leading cloud provider to drive innovation, meet data residency preferences, achieve lower latency, and serve demand for cloud services in Malaysia and across the Asia Pacific.

Source: NST

Amazon launches AWS Asia Pacific (Malaysia) region, to invest over RM29 bln

SD Guthrie Bhd (KL:SDG), the world’s largest palm oil producer by acreage, said on Thursday its venture into renewable energy may begin to contribute to its earnings within the next two years.  

The company formerly known as Sime Darby Plantation Bhd is focusing on projects under the Corporate Green Power Programme, which could produce income before the end of 2025, group managing director Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha said during a virtual earnings briefing.

If the projects materialise and the company secures the assets and necessary agreements by end of this year, “2026 and 2027 are when the impact on the bottom line will be”, he said.

SD Guthrie has leased 11 sites for renewable energy projects with a total capacity of 227 megawatts through the programme. Mohamad Helmy has previously said that every megawatt requires an investment of about RM2.5 billion over the next three to five years, and deliver a return of 8% to 13%.

The company has also participated in the tender process for Large-Scale Solar 5 (LSS5) that closed for bidding on July 25, in addition to leasing its land to owning green energy projects.

SD Guthrie also aims to grow its renewable energy segment through third-party access that would allow an electricity buyer to negotiate pricing directly with a renewable energy power plant for green electricity supply.

“We are excited about this,” Mohamad Helmy said. “We can put up a solar farm wherever we have available land” that is less productive for oil palm trees, he said.

On the proposed development of a port city on Carey Island by the Selangor government, Mohamad Helmy expects the project to have a “huge impact” on SD Guthrie as the company owns about 85% of land on the island.

He did not elaborate further as the project is still pending government approvals.

At Thursday’s noon break, shares in SD Guthrie were five sen or 1.11% higher at RM4.56, giving the group a market capitalisation of RM31.54 billion.

Source: The Edge Malaysia

SD Guthrie expects renewable energy venture to contribute to earnings over next two years

Malaysia’s participation in BRICS will underscore the country’s potential as a gateway for economic activities in Asean countries, said an economist.

INCEIF University economic analyst Baharom Abdul Hamid said Malaysia is also able to take advantage of trade opportunities to increase market access, thereby attracting more investments from the BRICS countries.

He said Malaysia has applied to join BRICS, a cooperation bloc for emerging economies established in 2009 and includes Brazil, Russia, India, and China, followed by South Africa’s participation in 2010.

In January 2024, countries including Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates also joined as new members.

“When we join an economic bloc, we will enjoy some (benefits, such as) tax relief, non-tariff barriers and others.

“Brazil, for example, is one of the biggest contributors of halal meat imports to Malaysia. Therefore, Malaysia has the potential to become a major gateway for halal food from Brazil at a lower cost.

“We can use this opportunity to be a gateway not only for food sources in Malaysia but as a hub for other Asean countries’ food sources,” Baharom said during Bernama TV’s ‘Ruang Bicara’ programme yesterday.

In addition, Malaysia, one of the world’s largest semiconductor producers, has the potential to expand cooperation with China, the main producer of electric vehicles.

“We need to continue our cooperation with China as a complement to the semiconductor sector for industrial use in China. At the same time, we should also expect China to further increase investments in Malaysia,” he said.

Baharom also stressed the importance of Malaysia’s participation in BRICS to be accompanied by strategic planning, ensuring economic spillover to several sectors and industries in the country as well as maximising trade and investment potentials that benefit the domestic economy.

“We need to make sure that by joining the BRICS, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are also protected.

“We do not want there to be an overflow of foreign goods that could otherwise affect local MSMEs,” he said.

For that purpose, careful planning should be done to evaluate which sectors are suitable to be opened and which should be protected.

In the meantime, Baharom urged the government to make periodic reports with transparency and integrity to see the overall impact of BRICS membership on the national economy.

Source: Bernama

Joining BRICS will highlight Malaysia’s potential as Asean economic activity gateway

Korean investment firm GG56 Korea Ltd will invest US$1 billion (RM4.37 billion) in Forest City to develop Malaysia’s first Korean Culture Town.

This is following the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Forest City’s master developer Country Garden Pacificview Sdn Bhd (CGPV) to develop the project, which will include K-Content Production Studios, an international Cultural District and a world-class residential development.

CGPV executive director Datuk Md Othman Yusof said the MOA marked a significant milestone in the ongoing development of Forest City, further solidifying its position as a global hub for innovation, culture and sustainable growth.

“This MOA is not just a formal agreement, it reflects our shared vision for Forest City and we are thrilled to collaborate with GG56 Korea to bring these transformative projects to life.

“Together, we will build a city that stands as a testament to innovation, culture, and sustainable development,” he told reporters after the signing ceremony here on Wednesday.

The agreement was signed by Md Othman on behalf of CGPV while GG56 Korea was represented by its chief executive officer and co-founder Kim Young Kun, and Chung Dong Wan, chairman of CMK Consortium, a subsidiary of GG56 Korea.

Meanwhile, Kim said the agreement provided an opportunity for the company to create something extraordinary in Forest City.

“Through our collaboration with CGPV, we aim to contribute to the city’s growth and establish it as a leading global destination,” he said.

Forest City is a visionary urban project in Johor Bahru. It is designed to be a smart, green and sustainable city that integrates residential, commercial and industrial spaces with cutting-edge technology and infrastructure.

GG56 Korea is an investment firm with a focus on high-impact projects in areas such as healthcare, entertainment, technology, and real estate.

Source: Bernama

Korean firm to invest US$1b in Forest City to develop first K-culture town

Malaysia welcomes Japan’s support and cooperation in accelerating the country’s energy transition journey to decarbonisation and achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, said Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli on Wednesday.

He said the national document, the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), that aims to accelerate the energy transition was largely inspired by the inaugural Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Ministerial Meeting last year.

“We anticipate that AZEC’s contributions will be instrumental in driving forward the shift towards more sustainable and low-carbon energy solutions which are crucial for the future of our region,” he said in a joint press conference after the 2nd AZEC Ministerial Meeting here.

Rafizi said the just concluded meeting has achieved its objectives in further enhancing the existing close cooperation, particularly enhancing energy trilemma namely security, affordability and sustainability.

He highlighted that Malaysia, as an AZEC partner country, had revised its renewable energy target, setting a more ambitious goal of achieving 70 per cent installed capacity by 2050, an increase from the previous target of 40 per cent by 2035.

The Malaysian government has also initiated several key measures, including the implementation of solar projects on a wide scale, the establishment of Energy Exchange Malaysia to promote cross-border green electricity sales to neighbouring countries, the NETR flagship projects as well as 50 key initiatives which are currently on track and progressing well.

The anticipated presentation of the Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) Bill later this year will comprehensively regulate all aspects of CCUS, while the forthcoming Climate Change Bill, expected to be finalised by June 2025, will introduce critical mechanisms such as carbon pricing to address and mitigate the impacts of climate change, he said.

Meanwhile, Rafizi said Malaysia is honoured to co-host next year’s meeting with Japan in Kuala Lumpur after the recent in-principle approval from the Cabinet.

“This 2025 meeting represents not only our commitment to decarbonisation but also our dedication to establishing Malaysia as the energy hub of the region,” he added.

AZEC is launched by 11 partner countries in 2023 as a platform that seeks to further advance decarbonisation in Asia towards the goal of carbon neutrality while achieving economic growth and energy security, creating various pathways tailored to each country’s circumstances.

Source: Bernama

Malaysia Welcomes Japan’s Support In Accelerating Energy Transition — Rafizi

IJM Corp Bhd (KL:IJM) has secured two contracts with a combined value of RM561 million for the construction of data centres in Johor and an industrial manufacturing facility in Penang.

In a statement, IJM Corp said the RM508 million data centre construction project was awarded by an international data centre developer, whose name was not disclosed. The project involves the construction of two data centre buildings in Gelang Patah, Johor.

The first building is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2025 (3Q2025), while the second building is expected to be completed in 1Q2026.

The project was secured through a 50:50 joint venture between IJM Corp’s construction unit, IJM Construction Sdn Bhd, and Woh Hup Malaysia Sdn Bhd. This means IJM Corp’s share of the contract is valued at RM254 million.

Woh Hup Malaysia is a unit of Woh Hup (Private) Ltd, a Singapore-based civil engineering firm that secured its first data centre project in 2016 and has since completed six data centres in India, Indonesia, and Singapore for international developers.

Separately, IJM Construction has independently secured a RM307 million contract for the construction of a new electrical and electronics (E&E) manufacturing and warehousing facility in Batu Kawan, Penang.

The 560,000 sq ft facility, located on a 20-acre (8.09-hectare) plot within the Bandar Cassia Technology Park, is intended for a US-based company in the E&E sector.

The facility aims to support growth in the semiconductor capital equipment and healthcare device markets by developing the E&E supply chain ecosystem. Construction of the facility is set to begin this month, with completion expected by October 2025.

The two contracts have increased IJM Construction’s secured jobs year-to-date to RM1.9 billion. Including the RM6 billion outstanding order book as of March 31, the group’s total order book now stands at RM7.9 billion.

IJM Corp group chief executive officer and managing director Lee Chun Fai said that securing the contracts highlights IJM Construction’s expertise in managing complex projects on accelerated schedules, especially as specialist builders of industrial buildings, data centres, and integrated logistics centres.

“By leveraging advanced construction methods like Smart IBS (the industrialised building system) and our industry division’s pretensioned high-strength concrete spun piles, we ensure efficiency, quality and environmental responsibility. The increasing demand for data centres and E&E facilities aligns with our strategic focus, opening new avenues for growth in these critical sectors.

“Collaborating with reputable partners such as Woh Hup enhances our ability to meet industry demands and deliver reliable results,” he elaborated.

It is worth noting that IJM Corp had in June secured a contract to design and build a data centre for a subsidiary of Telekom Malaysia Bhd (KL:TM) in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, for RM331.7 million. The project — known as Block 2 of the Iskandar Puteri Data Centre — was secured from TM Technology Services Sdn Bhd, also via its wholly owned IJM Construction. Construction of the data centre will begin in July 2024 and is slated for completion by 3Q2025.

Source: The Edge Malaysia

IJM Corp bags RM561m contracts to build data centres and industrial manufacturing facility