KUALA LUMPUR: The requirement to disclose data centre information, including power usage and number of graphics processing unit (GPU) chips imported, will be embedded in law to enable monitoring of such operations.
Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, who disclosed this, said the government needed details of the operators and hyperscalers for each data centre, as well as location.
He said 55 of the 117 approved data centre projects have begun operations, adding that monitoring must continue after the approvals.
On power supply, Johari said data centre operators must determine the actual capacity needed as suppliers must allocate the capacity agreed upon in the agreement.
“For example, if a data centre books a capacity of 100mw but only uses 50mw, the remaining 50mw will still be billed,” the minister said in his speech at the launching of the ministry’s MySaham mobile app here yesterday, Bernama reported.
He said the Digital Ministry was reviewing existing laws to determine if it could be used to take action against the re-export of GPU chips subject to sanctions by the United States.
“When the United States imposes a restriction, as a country, we want to make sure that whatever chips arrive here are meant for our own use.”
Johari said there were parties who rented space in local data centres and imported GPU chips, before re-exporting it.
“If they (the US authorities) require confirmation, they can always check with the government for us to confirm,” he said.
On MySaham, Johari said it was introduced for bumiputra investors to obtain information and manage matters related to the Saham Khas Bumiputra (SKB) category of shares.
“We want to expand access to opportunities for participating in the ownership of the country’s corporate equity through this application.
“This launch is part of the ministry’s efforts to strengthen the delivery of services digitally.”
