ONLY data centres that can provide additional benefits in terms of artificial intelligence (AI) or advanced technologies are allowed to set up bases in Malaysia, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Acknowledging that concerns over the massive volume of water needed to support these centres, the Prime Minister said data centres unable to provide the said benefits would not get the green light.
“In the last one and a half to two years, we have limited the number of data centres entering Malaysia, especially those unrelated to AI.
“However, approvals can be given for those that provide additional benefits through advanced technologies or AI.
“We have, however, stopped all unrelated applications from those looking to utilise our cheaper water and energy rates,” he said during Prime Minister Question Time in Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
On whether the mass entry of data centres into Malaysia in recent years would overload the national grid, Anwar said projections from the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry indicate that it was able to accommodate them for the next two years.
On top of this, he said Malaysia was taking long-term efforts through the Asean Energy Grid, among others.
“However, I take heed of the matter and am giving it serious attention,” he said, responding to Datuk Che Zulkifly Jusoh (PN-Besut), who raised the concern.
On another matter, Anwar said the ethical use of AI is a focus point under Malaysia’s upcoming AI Governance Bill.
The Prime Minister said this was because the main weakness in newly-introduced digital and AI systems was the seeming sidestepping of usage ethics.
“The AI risk and classification framework is taken into account in this Bill, alongside harm and incident reporting resulting from digital and AI usage. Everything falls back onto ethics. Legislators will focus on this as opposed to practices in the West.
Anwar added that the introduction of this Bill came at an important crossroad as it provided a comprehensive governance framework that covered the entire AI lifecycle.
“The Bill is still at the early stages of development, where various engagements will be carried out and later discussed at the respective Parliamentary Special Select Committees.
“As this is a new aspect for us, we must ensure that it is also taken into consideration under existing laws,” he said in response to Rodziah Ismail (PH-Ampang), who asked how the AI Governance Bill would handle copyright matters alongside protection for creators and copyright holders whose materials were often used without permission.
