THE government will launch a national Sustainable Data Centre Framework by October this year, as part of efforts to coordinate the development of the country’s digital infrastructure and position itself as a regional investment hub.
The announcement followed a meeting of the Data Centre Task Force (DCTF) on 21 July, co-chaired by the Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo.
The DCTF also confirmed that the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) will serve as the central authority for processing and approving all new and expansion-related data centre investments.
The task force said this centralisation would avoid duplication of roles, streamline processes, and ensure more effective policy implementation.
Established in February 2025, the DCTF is mandated to oversee planning, infrastructure, and investment strategy for Malaysia’s data centre ecosystem.
Representatives from both federal and state agencies were present at the latest session, alongside senior officials from the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) and the Ministry of Digital.
“With clear and consistent policies, Malaysia has successfully attracted and expanded data centre investment,” said Tengku Zafrul in a joint statement by both ministries on Tuesday.
“Data centres are key drivers of the digital economy and offer high economic multipliers. Strong policy coordination between MITI and the Ministry of Digital is essential to reinforce Malaysia’s appeal as a leading regional destination for digital infrastructure investment.”
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the framework would ensure a transparent and comprehensive approach to industry growth.
“The Ministry of Digital is committed to developing Malaysia’s digital economy in an orderly and sustainable fashion. The upcoming framework will coordinate policy and execution, offering clarity to investors and underlining our commitment to long-term, inclusive digital growth,” he said. - July 22, 2025
