Microsoft has announced plans to launch its first cloud region in Malaysia, with three data centres set to go live by the second quarter of 2025. The data centres, named the Malaysia West cloud, will be located in the greater Kuala Lumpur area. This development is part of a broader $2.2 billion investment in the country, which Microsoft first revealed in May 2024. The new facilities aim to support the company’s expanding cloud and AI services across Southeast Asia.
The capacity of the data centres has not been disclosed, but the move marks a significant step in Microsoft’s commitment to the region. Laurence Si, the Managing Director of Microsoft Malaysia, emphasized that operations would stay on track despite any concerns about U.S. export controls on semiconductor chips. Microsoft is closely monitoring these developments but reports that their plans remain unaffected for now.
In addition to the data centres, Microsoft’s $2.2 billion investment is expected to contribute $10.9 billion in revenue over the next four years and create more than 37,000 jobs. Si highlighted that the expansion would empower local businesses and organizations, helping accelerate innovation and digital transformation across the nation.
Microsoft’s move to establish a major cloud presence in Malaysia underscores the country’s growing importance as a hub for cloud computing and artificial intelligence in Southeast Asia. The new data centres are poised to play a key role in driving economic growth and digital progress in the region.
source: reuters