JOHOR is creating a data centre framework to guide long-term planning and continuous improvements in line with the rapid global growth of the digital infrastructure sector.
State investment, trade, consumer affairs and human resources committee chairman Lee Ting Han said the framework would ensure that data centre development in the state aligned with evolving industry standards while prioritising sustainability, resilience and economic impact.
“Johor is already in a strong position as a regional data centre hub and this framework will help us move forward strategically as a leader in the digital and artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem,” he told StarMetro.
He added that Johor was the first in the country to introduce its own guidelines, alongside the establishment of the Johor Data Centre Development Coordination Committee to ensure projects were implemented responsibly.
He said the state government was also taking a structured approach in evaluating and approving projects.
“Data centres are not just digital infrastructure investments.
“They form the backbone of AI, digital economy and industrial transformation.”
Johor has so far attracted major global players such as Microsoft, ByteDance, AirTrunk, DayOne, Equinix, Bridge Data Centres, Princeton Digital Group, Telekom Malaysia and YTL.
Lee recently met with representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme led by energy efficiency and sustainability expert Patrick Blake under the United for Efficiency (U4E) initiative.
U4E is a global effort supporting developing countries and emerging economies to move their markets to energy-efficient appliances and equipment.
The meeting, attended by representatives from PLANMalaysia’s Johor branch, Iskandar Regional Development Authority and Invest Johor touched on global best practices, particularly in ensuring data centre development was aligned with energy efficiency principles, environmental sustainability and carbon emission reduction.
Lee also said that Johor aimed to become a high technology centre of excellence in the region.
“In early April, the state government, led by Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, met with semiconductor industry players in Shanghai, China.
“Through the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), we are building bridges for future opportunities in electric vehicles and AI.
“This also translates to knowledge transfer and specialised job opportunities for Johoreans in sectors such as research and development, high-technology system integration and the installation and testing of critical semiconductor components.”
