Microsoft has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Malaysia’s digital economy with the launch of its first hyperscale cloud region in the country, known as the Malaysia West cloud region. Slated to go live in the second quarter of 2025, the new infrastructure will be in Greater Kuala Lumpur and includes three data centers, one of which is a newly built facility in Cyberjaya.
The Malaysia West cloud region is expected to generate USD 10.9 billion in new revenue and create over 37,000 jobs by 2028, including 5,700 skilled IT roles. The economic impact stems not only from the cloud region’s operations, estimated at USD 1.84 billion but also from the broader multiplier effect of Microsoft’s technology ecosystem as it supports partners and customers across industries. The initiative aligns with Microsoft’s regional and global strategy to accelerate innovation and digital resilience, while complying with local data residency and regulatory requirements. This milestone follows Microsoft’s announcement in May 2024 of a USD 2.2 billion investment to bolster Malaysia’s cloud and AI capabilities.
Alongside its infrastructure expansion, Microsoft has launched the “AI for Malaysia’s Future” (AIForMYFuture) initiative to equip 800,000 Malaysians with AI skills by the end of 2025. This builds on its earlier Bersama Malaysia program, which has trained over 1.5 million people nationwide. With 84% of Malaysian professionals already incorporating AI into their work, Microsoft sees the new cloud region as critical to accelerating digital transformation across both government and industry. The company is continuing to collaborate with public agencies, non-profits, and academic institutions to support inclusive talent development and strengthen Malaysia’s position as a hub for AI innovation in the region.
(Sources: Microsoft; Tech in Asia)
