AWS RM25.5 bil investment will boost jobs, digital participation: Zafrul

PETALING JAYA – The latest computing infrastructure investment of RM25.5 billion by Amazon Web Services (AWS) by 2037 will spur job growth and digital participation among local businesses, said International Trade and Industry Ministry minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

Tengku Zafrul said such investments will help Malaysia to develop its digital infrastructure better and raise confidence to draw future investors into the country.

“Cloud computing is one of the major enablers for business to come into Malaysia and grow but the data centres that we have now will not be enough, so investment such as the one committed by AWS will attract more investors into the country.

“This in turn will attract more tech companies into the country and give opportunities to the tech talent pool and participate in the digital economy,’’ he said to the press following AWS’ announcement of their investment into the country at One World Hotel earlier today.

In its press release, AWS announced that they are committing RM25.5 billion to Malaysia as part of its strategy to develop an infrastructure region in the country.

The investment includes data residency preferences to store data securely in Malaysia as well as achieve lower latency and cloud computing services.

In his speech during the announcement earlier today, Tengku Zafrul said the investment reflects the country’s reputation as a preferred destination for investors in the global tech scene.

“All these are no coincidence, as Malaysia is rapidly emerging as the digital hub of Asean thanks to a few factors.

“Firstly, Malaysia’s highly developed ICT infrastructure, including high-speed internet connectivity and a well-developed telecommunications network, provides a conducive environment for digital innovation and growth.

“Secondly, the country boasts a large pool of tech talent, with graduates majoring in key subjects such as computer science, electrical engineering, and data science. Malaysia’s skilled and diverse workforce makes it an alluring destination for companies seeking to enhance its digital capabilities and regional footprint.

“Thirdly, Malaysia’s robust intellectual property protection framework and rule of law also assure investors like AWS that their innovations and investments will be safeguarded and protected,’’ he said. – The Vibes, March 2, 2023