MIDA welcomes Microsoft's plan in 'Bersama Malaysia' initiatives

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) welcomes Microsoft Corp's plan to establish its first datacentre region in Malaysia which is set to accelerate the nation's innovation in cloud technologies.

The government's principal investment promotion and development agency is confident that Microsoft's Bersama Malaysia initiative will be a game-changer towards the country's digital-first agenda in line with the nation's MyDIGITAL aspirations, while boosting local and foreign investors' confidence in Malaysia.

MIDA chief executive officer Arham Abdul Rahman said Microsoft's investment with its first datacentre region in the country is a strong testament to Malaysia's pro-business, pro-trade and business-friendly investment policies.

"Having Microsoft, a global technology player, expanding its footprint in the digital infrastructure in Malaysia helps form the backbone for a sustainable digital ecosystem.

"Most importantly, Microsoft's commitment through its world-class digital infrastructure will position us in a higher rank to progress into a digital nation," he said in a statement today.

MIDA said the upcoming Microsoft datacentre region is expected to benefit local businesses, the government and communities across all sectors, and users are able to gain fast access to Microsoft's leading-edge cloud services as well as the ability to store data and applications in the country.

The local datacentre region will comprise a set of datacentres located within Greater Kuala Lumpur, deployed within a latency-defined perimeter and connected through a dedicated low-latency network.

"We will continue to support Microsoft's efforts in Malaysia, particularly in transforming the nation's digital landscape, infrastructure and its skilled workforce, thus enhancing Malaysia's competitiveness and attractiveness as the preferred destination for high-technology investments," said Arham.

Meanwhile, Microsoft Malaysia managing director K. Raman said: "We are humbled by the support extended by MIDA and we look forward to strengthening our partnership to realise Malaysia's inclusive digital aspirations."

Microsoft's Bersama Malaysia initiative was launched by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Monday with the first datacentre costing at least US$1 billion (US$1= RM4.1180) over the next five years.

The establishment is expected to create 19,000 jobs, including 4,000 IT-related jobs among its cloud users.

-- BERNAMA