By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, Nov 10: Sarawak secures US$1 billion, approximately RM4.07 billion, investment to develop artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, as part of a wider US$1.85 billion investment package in Malaysia involving SoftBank Group, Grab and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS).
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg clarified that the US$1.85 billion figure represents the total investment for Malaysia, while US$1 billion is allocated specifically for the Sarawak project.
“The entire entity is investing US$1.85 billion in Malaysia. However, US$1 billion is for Sarawak. I am referring to the total investment.
“You cannot mention only Sarawak when the investment covers the whole country. The agreement has already been signed,” he told reporters after officiating the Sarawak Form Six Student Leadership and Empowerment Convention 2026 at a hotel here today.
Abang Johari said the main processing plant for AI infrastructure would be located in Sarawak, at Tanjung Embang.
In a joint media release issued on Nov 9, the three parties announced that they had signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA), building on a framework agreement signed in Kuching on Oct 8.
The agreement outlines plans for an initial combined investment of US$1 billion in Sarawak, comprising US$800 million from SoftBank Group, US$100 million from Grab and US$100 million from PETROS.
The investment will be deployed in stages, subject to key project development and customer contract milestones, as well as the fulfilment of necessary closing conditions.
The collaboration aims to build towards a long-term target of five gigawatts of AI computing capacity in Sarawak.
Beyond computing infrastructure, the partnership will also explore opportunities across the wider AI value chain, including AI compute and services, advanced technologies, robotics, local workforce development and community development.
The three parties will also seek additional investors and hyperscaler customers to support the project’s development and long-term expansion. — DayakDaily
