‘Huge potential for Microsoft’s Malaysian data centre region’
19 Apr 2021
PUTRAJAYA: Microsoft Corp’s first data centre region in Malaysia possesses huge potential for not only the domestic but also global market.
Microsoft Malaysia managing director K. Raman said the data centre region, which will be developed under the newly-launched ‘Bersama Malaysia’ (Together with Malaysia) Initiative, would be connected to the existing 60 data centre regions around the world.
“The data centre region here is a combination of several data centres interconnected via a low latency network to deliver the best cloud solutions for Malaysia,” he told reporters after the launch of the ‘Bersama Malaysia’ initiative here today.
The initiative was launched by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Asked on Microsoft’s upcoming data centre in Kulai, Johor, the construction of which is 40 per cent complete, Raman said the data centre in Johor was an extension of the new data centre region.
“The new data centre region will be (located) in the greater Kuala Lumpur area. We intend to then extend that data centre in Johor as part of our regional data centre,” he said.
He said the new data centre region would also have Microsoft’s Azure Availability Zones, providing additional resilience options for available applications and support its sustainability goals.
On Microsoft’s participation in the government’s aim to migrate 80 per cent of government data to the cloud by the end of next year, he said the company would be working closely with the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU).
“Microsoft is one of the cloud service providers appointed by the government to support the MyDigital (Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint) initiative. At the moment, we are working closely with MAMPU in mapping (out) the 80 per cent migration, in what area that Microsoft can contribute,” he said.
Earlier in his speech during the launch, Raman said Microsoft was looking forward to realising the government’s digital-first and Cloud-First ambition, thus enhancing the delivery of ‘citizen-centric’ services to the people.
He said that last year, Microsoft has pledged to bring digital skills to 25 million people worldwide through its Global Skills Initiative.
“We are encouraged that more than 110,000 Malaysians in the last nine months have gained new digital skills through resources provided by Microsoft, LinkedIn, and GitHub.
“As we continue to invest in future talents to lead Malaysia’s next phase of growth, we are committed to skilling an additional one million Malaysians by December 2023.
“We also welcome communities in the rural area, people living with disabilities and people from all walks of life, to join us in ensuring equal participation in Malaysia’s inclusive future,” he said.
Source: NST
