In a surprise response in Parliament yesterday, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the country has restricted all new non-AI data centers since the last two years.
“Over the past one to two years, we have limited approvals for new data centres that are not AI-related,” he said when responding to the question whether the proposed AI Governance Bill would set energy efficiency standards for AI data centres in Malaysia.
“It is under observation because energy and water usage has increased significantly. If an application brings benefits in terms of advanced technology and AI, it is easily approved. All new applications that are unrelated – data centres built merely to take advantage of cheaper water and energy costs – have already been stopped,” he said.
Further, Anwar said the existing electricity supply for data centers is sufficient for the next two years, highlighting plans to transmit power from Sarawak as well as plugging into the planned ASEAN Energy Grid.
The question arose due to concerns over the resources required to sustain the exponential increase in data centers in the country since two years ago especially in Johor. Malaysia is set to surpass Singapore in capacity by 2027 and the rest of Asia Pacific, ex China, by 2030.
As at the time of publication, w.media has ascertained that opinions vary among experts on the interpretation and implications of what the Malaysian prime minister has said. Updates will be provided once more clarity emerges.