SimeProp group managing director Datuk Seri Azmir Merican.
PETALING JAYA: Sime Darby Property Bhd
(SimeProp) has broken ground for the hyperscale data centre that it will build for Google.
In a statement, the property developer said Google’s inaugural data centre at Elmina Business Park marks the first and only of its kind to-date by a developer in Malaysia.
The data centre will mark the business centre’s first major step towards becoming Greater Klang Valley’s Digital Hub, designed to support the digital economy.
This development is expected to attract additional data centres, large-scale manufacturers and small and medium enterprises, as well as create 35,000 job opportunities to meet operational demands.
SimeProp group managing director Datuk Seri Azmir Merican said the group is committed to enhancing socio-economic value for the communities surrounding Elmina Business Park, focusing on environmental sustainability initiatives and fostering job creation and educational opportunities.
“Sime Darby Property’s Elmina Business Park represents our efforts as a responsible developer to the nation from both an economic and societal contribution perspective.
“It serves as a blueprint for our future business parks throughout Malaysia,” he said.
He added their venture into this new economy asset class with a leading tech giant will continue to position the business park as a top destination for global tech firms.
“We are heartened by the support we have received from the local authorities, as well as the state and federal governments for the development of not just Google’s data centre but also the development of Elmina Business Park’s entire infrastructure and human capital ecosystem.”
The group expects to roll out more projects under this business model with high-calibre clients in technology-driven manufacturing and logistics businesses, in addition to the data centre space.
“These initiatives will go towards further growing the Group’s SHIFT25 long-term recurring income contribution,” Azmir said.
Meanwhile, Google’s global director of data centre energy and location strategy Gary Demasi said the tech giant was pleased to have broken ground on its first data centre and cloud region campus in Malaysia at Elmina Business Park.
“We look forward to further potential collaboration with Sime Darby Property as part of our continued efforts to advance the country’s goals of boosting its digital competitiveness and establishing itself as a regional hub for artificial intelligence innovation.”
