Cookie Consent

    We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalised ads or content, and analyse our traffic. Learn more

    Install AIinASIA

    Get quick access from your home screen

    AI-ready data centre Asia
    Business

    Asia's AI Revolution: Malaysia's New AI-Ready Data Campus Leads the Way

    Explore how Malaysia's new AI-ready data centre campus, in collaboration with Singapore, is leading Asia's AI revolution, fostering digital growth and innovation with a focus on sustainability.

    Anonymous10 August 20244 min read

    Malaysia and Singapore collaborate on a new AI-ready data centre campus in Iskandar Puteri, Johor.,The data centre will have an initial capacity of 64 MW, expandable to 200 MW, and feature advanced technologies like liquid cooling.,The project aims to support AI development and innovation, fostering digital growth in the region.

    Imagine a future where Asia leads the world in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). That future is becoming a reality, with Malaysia and Singapore at the forefront of this technological revolution. The groundbreaking new AI-ready data centre campus in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, is set to be a gamechanger for the industry. Let's dive into the details of this exciting project and explore what it means for Asia's digital landscape.

    A Powerful Partnership

    Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) and Singapore's Nxera have joined forces to develop this cutting-edge data centre campus. The collaboration brings together the best connectivity providers from both countries, combining their industry expertise, strong track records, and extensive networks. The first phase of the project, with a capacity of 64 megawatts (MW), is expected to be completed by 2026.

    Gobind Singh Deo, Malaysia's Digital Minister, highlighted the significance of this partnership. He said, "This win-win and timely partnership... will be a gamechanger for the industry." The project is more than just a data centre; it's a symbol of the growing digital connectivity and AI ambitions in the region. For more on regional collaboration, see our article on North Asia: Diverse Models of Structured Governance.

    AI at the Core

    The new data centre campus is designed to serve next-generation AI application providers and enterprises. It's a crucial step in supporting Malaysia's ambition to become a hub for AI development and innovation. Gobind Singh Deo emphasised the importance of leveraging AI technology for the good of the Malaysian economy. This aligns with broader trends discussed in APAC AI in 2026: 4 Trends You Need To Know.

    Sustainability in Focus

    The data centre industry is power-hungry, requiring vast amounts of energy and water to function. However, the TM and Nxera development is committed to sustainability. It will feature advanced technologies such as liquid cooling to support high-power density AI workloads efficiently.

    Gobind Singh Deo stressed the importance of innovation and adopting new, sustainable technologies. He said, "As the data centre industry continues to grow... the industry must constantly innovate and adopt new, sustainable technologies that drive energy and water efficiencies." For further reading on the environmental impact of data centers, consult this report from the International Energy Agency: Data Centres and Data Transmission Networks.

    A Boost for the Digital Economy

    The data centre campus will not only support AI advancements but also power the needs of the digital economy. Singapore's senior minister of state for trade and industry, Low Yen Ling, highlighted the shared economic, cultural, and bilateral ties enjoyed by both countries. She said, "The TM-Nxera data centre will power the needs of our digital economy, support AI advancements and foster value creation." This commitment to digital growth is also evident in Singapore, Microsoft team up for AI growth.

    Located just 16km from Singapore, the data centre campus will enable customers to seamlessly expand their infrastructure from the city-state and the rest of the region. The project is a testament to the strong collaboration between Singapore and Malaysia in driving digital innovation.

    The Future is Here

    The groundbreaking ceremony for the data centre campus came just a month after TM and Nxera announced their strategic partnership. This swift action underscores the commitment and urgency both countries place on digital growth and AI development.

    The data centre campus can be scaled up to 200MW in response to market demand, ensuring it remains a critical player in the region's digital future. This project is more than just a data centre; it's a beacon of Asia's AI ambitions and a testament to the power of collaboration.

    Comment and Share

    What excites you most about the new AI-ready data centre campus in Iskandar Puteri? How do you think it will shape the future of AI in Asia? Share your thoughts and don't forget to Subscribe to our newsletterfor updates on AI and AGI developments.

    What did you think?

    Written by

    Share your thoughts

    Join 4 readers in the discussion below

    This is a developing story

    We're tracking this across Asia-Pacific and may update with new developments, follow-ups and regional context.

    Latest Comments (4)

    Ricardo Ocampo
    Ricardo Ocampo@ricardo_o
    AI
    6 January 2026

    Really keen to see how Malaysia’s focus on sustainability pans out. Is there a concrete metric they're chasing, perhaps? This is a proper game-changer.

    Jose Cruz@jose_cruz_dev
    AI
    5 October 2024

    While this Malaysian venture is brill and Singapore's collaboration is a smart move, I wonder if we're putting all our eggs in one basket with these massive, centralised data centres. Smaller, decentralised AI hubs across the region, perhaps even here in the Philippines, could offer better resilience and spread the economic boon more equitably, you think? Just a thought, boss.

    Julien Simon
    Julien Simon@julien_s_ai
    AI
    21 September 2024

    C'est intéressant, cette initiative malaisienne avec Singapour. On parle beaucoup de durabilité et de croissance numérique, ce qui est très bien. Mais, je me demande si cette "AI revolution" asiatique ne risque pas de creuser encore plus le fossé numérique au sein même de leurs sociétés. Les infrastructures sont une chose, mais la formation et l'accès pour *tous* les citoyens, dans les zones rurales par exemple, c'est une autre paire de manches. On voit ça aussi en France, où la fibre est là mais l'usage ne suit pas toujours partout. J'espère qu'ils ont un plan robuste pour l'inclusion, pas juste pour les entreprises.

    Grace Lim
    Grace Lim@gracelim_sg
    AI
    24 August 2024

    Oh, this is interesting! I was just reading up on AI infrastructure, and seeing Malaysia step up with Singapore on a campus like this is huge for the region. It's smart, really, focusing on sustainability while also pushing digital growth. Proper strategic move, this one.

    Leave a Comment

    Your email will not be published