World

Malaysia tightens scrutiny of data centres

The Data Centre Task Force (DCTF) evaluates applications not only based on investment value but also on their requirements for energy, water and connectivity, as well as their potential contributions to Malaysia's long-term economic and digital goals.

Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - The Data Centre Task Force (DCTF) has received more than 40 applications to establish or expand data centre operations in Malaysia this year, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).

The DCTF evaluates applications not only based on investment value but also on their requirements for energy, water and connectivity, as well as their potential contributions to Malaysia's long-term economic and digital goals.

Speaking at the Data Centre Nexus 2026 event, MITI Deputy Minister Sim Tze Tzin emphasised that as the scale and pace of investment increase, Malaysia will focus on the value these capabilities bring, including artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, home-grown innovation, skilled talent and high value-added jobs.

He said the Malaysian government has strengthened the capacity of the DCTF to promote a more coordinated approach to the data centre industry.

Malaysia is also establishing standards for power and water-use efficiency, as well as carbon efficiency. The Energy Commission and the National Water Services Commission are developing relevant frameworks and guidelines to support the sustainable development of the data centre industry.

Tzin argued that as the industry continues to grow, operators need to commit to using renewable energy, improving efficiency, managing resources responsibly and adopting more sustainable solutions throughout their operations.

Malaysia approved investments worth 218.5 billion MYR (54.6 billion USD) across various economic sectors in the first half of this year, an increase of nearly 12% compared with the same period in 2025. The services sector accounted for 149.6 billion MYR, or 68.5% of the total approved investment, with the information and communication sub-sector, including data centres, accounting for 103.3 billion MYR. Data centre and cloud-computing projects alone accounted for 95.8 billion MYR, or 44% of all approved investment during the period. Malaysia has approved a total of 385.7 billion MYR in data centre-related investments since 2021./.

​

VNA
#Data Centre Task Force #data centre operations #Malaysia #DCTF Malaysia
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Malaysia eyes becoming ASEAN’s AI hub

Malaysia possessed the fundamentals to emerge as ASEAN's digital and AI hub, including its strategic location, strong connectivity, growing digital ecosystem and rising investor confidence, said Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo.

Malaysia steps up drive to build world-class startup ecosystem

Malaysia steps up drive to build world-class startup ecosystem

For KL20 2026, four new priority areas have been added, aligning with Malaysia's 13th Malaysia Plan (2026–2030), which seeks to increase economic complexity, strengthen high-value industries and expand domestic production of value-added goods and services.

See more

Consumers select goods at a supermarket in Kuala Lumpur. (Photo: VNA)

Malaysian consumers tighten non-essential spending

CIMB Securities Sdn Bhd analyst Walter Aw Lik Hsin said shoppers are increasingly seeking cheaper products, convenience and value, while cutting back on clothing, lifestyle goods and other non-essentials.

Cambodian Chamber of Commerce president Kith Meng (right) meets with Malaysian ambassador to Cambodia Shaharuddin Onn on September 14. (Photo: phnompenhpost.com)

Cambodia, Malaysia pledge increased trade, investment cooperation

The General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) reported that Cambodia-Malaysia trade totaled 1.07 billion USD from January to August 2026, up 55.5% from the same period last year. Cambodia exported 151.76 million USD worth of goods to Malaysia, up 71.8%, while imports reached 921.19 million USD, an increase of 53.1%.

Smoke rises from a land fire in South Sumatra, Indonesia (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Indonesia: Thick smoke from forest fires disrupts flights

In a written statement on September 14, the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry said the latest monitoring data shows a significant decrease in so-called “high-confidence” hot spots, strongly suspected to be caused by forest fires, in Central Kalimantan and West Kalimantan.

Thailand upgrades GDP growth to 2.5% in 2026

Thailand upgrades GDP growth to 2.5% in 2026

Thailand's economic recovery will follow a K-shaped model, with growth concentrated in high-tech industries and large companies, according to the Centre for Economic and Business Forecasting at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).

A pepresentatives of UXO Lao programme briefs on mine survey and clearance in Luang Prabang province (Photo: VNA)

International delegates inspect UXO clearance efforts in Laos

To realise the Convention on Cluster Munitions’s goals, the Lao Government has incorporated all international targets into its “Safe Path Forward III 2021–2030” national strategy and stayed committed to its national Sustainable Development Goal 18 – “Lives Safe from UXO”.

The forum on ASEAN's role in the Indo-Pacific region and prospects for cooperation with Argentina takes place on September 10 (Photo: VNA)

ASEAN highlights its central role in Indo-Pacific

The Ambassador of Indonesia, the country holding the rotating chairmanship of ASEAN in Argentina, stressed that maintaining peace and stability, along with an open, transparent regional environment based on mutual respect, are fundamental conditions for a peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

A street in Bangkok, Thailand. (Illustrative photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Thailand’s business activity shows signs of gradual recovery

As of August 31, Thailand had more than 1 million active legal entities with total registered capital of 24.13 trillion THB. The service sector accounted for the largest share, with 552,830 entities, or 54.48%, followed by wholesale and retail with 332,791 entities (32.79%) and manufacturing with 129,215 (12.73%).