The Washington Post published a commentary reflecting on what the United States can learn from Malaysia's example. Amidst a wave of opposition to data center construction in many parts of the US, Malaysia is actively attracting global investment in AI infrastructure, striving to become an "AI nation" by 2030.
Malaysia, with a population of approximately 36 million, currently has 1,318 megawatts of operational data center capacity, with another 1,039 megawatts under construction. Following Singapore's suspension of new data center construction in 2019, significant investment shifted to neighboring Johor, Malaysia. The article points out that technology companies need to bear the costs of their own electricity consumption and related grid upgrades, shielding most residents from rising electricity bills.
Malaysia also hopes to leverage data center investment to drive the upgrading of its domestic industries from electronic assembly to high-end chip manufacturing and design. In contrast to the growing opposition in some parts of the US, support for data center expansion remains dominant in Malaysia.
