The Pahang government is aiming to attract investments from the data centre industry, following in the footsteps of Kuala Lumpur and Johor. Datuk Mohamad Nizar Najib, chairman of the state’s investment, industry, science, technology and innovation committee, emphasised the sector’s potential and the importance of not missing out on opportunities that could drive its economic growth.
Nizar noted that Pahang will assess investment proposals from data centre companies but acknowledged that the state’s involvement may not reach the scale of the Klang Valley and Johor, which each host between 40 and 50 data centres. He highlighted that data centre projects must ensure that the local population continues to have access to basic facilities, reinforcing the need for careful planning.
He also expressed concerns over the high resource consumption of data centres, particularly their significant use of water and electricity. While the industry is promising, the chairman stressed that Pahang must ensure it has the necessary infrastructure to support such investments. Furthermore, strong fibre optic networks and adequate resource management are critical for the development of these centres.
In addition to the data centre initiatives, he encouraged MDEC to help Pahang attract more digital nomad workers – individuals who work remotely using technology. He pointed out that Pahang’s scenic locations, such as Cameron Highlands, Fraser’s Hill and Janda Baik, make the state an appealing base for digital entrepreneurs, vloggers, and content creators. By promoting these areas, Pahang hopes to further stimulate its economy through tourism and remote work.
The Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) head of corporate services, Amiruddin Abdul Shukor, expressed the agency’s support for the state’s efforts. He added that the company has identified several potential locations in Pahang that meet the necessary conditions for data centre development, including Kuantan, Gambang and Bentong.
Amiruddin also highlighted MDEC’s role in supporting Pahang’s digital infrastructure, noting that while the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI) takes the lead on investment matters, MDEC contributes by fostering the digital ecosystem. He cited successful collaborations, such as the green data centre in Sedenak, Johor, and ongoing efforts in Sarawak, as examples of how MDEC can help Pahang in its push to become a digital hub.
(Source: Bernama)
