Putrajaya’s partnership with Microsoft to build the first data center region in Malaysia is expected to bring in US$1 billion worth investments over the next five years.
The data centre region will comprise of multiple data centres managing data from different countries.
The initiative comes as part of Microsoft’s “Bersama Malaysia” (Together with Malaysia) initiative to empower Malaysia’s inclusive digital economy and advance the nation’s digital transformation across the private and public sectors.
According to IDC’s research 1 , Microsoft’s investment in Malaysia will help generate up to US$ 4.6 billion in new revenues for the country’s ecosystem of local partners and cloud-consuming customers over the next four years. Additionally, the research estimates Microsoft, its
partners, and cloud-using customers will together contribute more than 19,000 new direct and indirect jobs.
Microsoft has also signed partnerships with Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU), Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF), Petronas, Celcom Axiata and Grab Malaysia.
Petronas’ partnership with Microsoft will commit to nurturing a sustainable pipeline of a future-ready workforce equipped to support Malaysia’s digital economy. Additionally, Celcom Axiata Berhad partnership with Microsoft will focus on providing a secure and reliable cloud service to Malaysia’s digital ecosystem.
Meanwhile, Microsoft with its local partner, Enfrasys Solutions has been appointed by MAMPU to provide cloud services to the Malaysian public sector agencies until 2023.
The technology company will also work with HRDF and Grab Malaysia to equip individuals with skills to move forward in the cloud and AI-enabled economy as they aim to equip one million Malaysians with digital skills by December 2023.
The partnerships are also in line with Malaysia’s MyDigital initiative and the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint, which was announced in February 2021.
Under the blueprint, Putrajaya granted conditional approvals to four cloud service providers (CSPs); Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Telekom Malaysia Bhd.
Managing Director of Microsoft Malaysia, K Raman has highlighted that the country has leaped into two years’ worth of digital transformation in two short months.
“Covid-19 has impacted more than just health and societal issues therefore it is important for Microsoft to respond to the crisis in helping Malaysians to recover from the Covid-19 outbreak,” he added.
Executive Vice President (EVP) and President of the Global Sales, Marketing, and Operations at Microsoft Corporation, Jean-Philippe Courtois said the company is excited for this partnership as Microsoft thrives on Malaysia’s goal to be the regional leader in the digital economy.
“Microsoft has announced 60 global data centres and we are pleased to have Malaysia joining the largest data infrastructure in the world,” he concluded.
