KUALA LUMPUR, 13 MARCH 2025 — The Malaysian government has approved 21 data centre projects under the Digital Ecosystem Acceleration Scheme since 2021, totalling RM113.8 billion (USD 24.1 billion) in investments, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).

Foreign investors contributed 90% of these funds, amounting to RM102.3 billion (USD 21.7 billion), while domestic investments made up the remaining 10% at RM11.5 billion (USD 2.4 billion). These projects are expected to generate 1,244 new job opportunities and typically require 12 to 24 months for completion, depending on their complexity and scale.

To oversee and promote the development of the data centre industry, the government established the Data Centre Task Force (DCTF), co-chaired by the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry and the Minister of Digital. The DCTF aims to enhance coordination and strategize for the growth of data centres and their ecosystems.

MITI has also highlighted the broader economic benefits of these investments, noting that they contribute to economic diversification and resilience by reducing dependence on traditional industries.

In line with sustainable development goals, MITI is finalizing guidelines that will set metrics for Carbon Usage Effectiveness (CUE) to measure carbon emissions by data centres. These guidelines will become a requirement for future incentive applications in the sector.