MIDA Builds Broader Ecosystem Around Malaysia’s Data Centre Industry
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) is strengthening the broader ecosystem around Malaysia’s data centre industry to help local companies build capabilities and participate in areas including engineering, construction, electrical systems, cooling, telecommunications, cybersecurity, and logistics.
MIDA chairman Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said the opportunity extends beyond the physical development of data centres to the wider economic spillovers that can be built around them.
“Data centres are a critical driver of our digital and compute economy, but their true measure of success lies well beyond the data halls themselves.
“Attracting investment was only ever the first step. Our responsibility now is to build an industry that is sustainable, inclusive and enduring,” he said in a statement released in conjunction with the Data Centre Nexus (DCN) 2026 event today.
Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia would ultimately measure its success not by the scale of investment attracted but by the value built around it, including stronger Malaysian businesses, deeper local capabilities and lasting opportunities for Malaysians.
Meanwhile, MIDA chief executive officer Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid said the agency’s focus is increasingly centred on building an ecosystem that can capture greater value from the sector’s growth.
“This year, we are not only asking how we grow the industry, but how we create lasting value for Malaysia.
“Artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing at a remarkable pace, and it rests on a foundation of computing power and digital infrastructure — yet that growth must be matched by responsibility in how carefully we manage our energy, water and land, and in the capabilities we build here at home,” he said.
Sikh Shamsul said MIDA does not merely want more data centres in Malaysia but an ecosystem that is competitive, innovative and sustainable.
MIDA said DCN 2026 will see dedicated business matching sessions to strengthen linkages between global players and Malaysian businesses by connecting 14 data centre companies with 51 local vendors to explore potential partnerships and supply chain opportunities.
It said this expanded on the inaugural DCN in 2025, which connected eight data centre companies with 17 supply chain companies.
Among the ecosystem companies participating in DCN 2026 are critical equipment manufacturers such as Panasonic, Delta Electronics, Dunham-Bush, Powerwell International and Cipta Industrial.
Service providers across the data centre value chain included Gading Kencana, Ancom Energy, Northern Solar and Ditrolic Energy.
This year’s programme also featured a session on developing Malaysia’s data centre supply chain and industrial ecosystem, bringing together Cipta Industrial, Powerwell Holdings Bhd and Delta Electronics Solutions to discuss opportunities for Malaysian manufacturers to strengthen their capabilities in supporting the industry.
MIDA said this year’s programme focused on four strategic pillars, comprising AI-driven digital infrastructure, sustainable and resource-efficient infrastructure, local ecosystem and industrial spillovers, and digital technology accessibility.
“The local ecosystem and industrial spillover pillar focuses on strengthening domestic supply chains, creating skilled jobs and enabling Malaysian companies to build capabilities across the digital infrastructure value chain.
“The programme also explored energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, water stewardship and responsible data centre operations, as well as ways to expand cloud and digital technology adoption among businesses and communities,” it added.
As the country’s principal investment promotion and development agency, MIDA facilitates investments throughout the investment journey and, through its #InvestLokal initiative, strengthens linkages between global investors and Malaysian businesses to expand local participation and build stronger domestic capabilities.
Held for the second consecutive year under the theme “Advancing AI-Driven Digital Infrastructure and Sustainable Ecosystems”, DCN 2026 brought together data centre operators, technology companies, government agencies, financial institutions and Malaysian supply chain companies to discuss the next phase of Malaysia’s evolving data centre ecosystem.
-- BERNAMA