OKTOBER 2026
SARAWAK LAYS GROUND FOR NEW AI ECONOMY WITH SOFTBANK, GRAB AND PETROS
KUCHING, 8 October 2026 — SoftBank Group Corp., Grab Holdings Limited and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) today signed a Framework Agreement to explore the development of an artificial intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure platform in Sarawak, in a move to expand the State’s participation in the high-value technology economy.
The Framework Agreement was signed by Masayoshi Son, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SoftBank Group Corp.; Anthony Tan, Group Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Grab; and Dato Janin Girie, Group Chief Executive Officer of PETROS.
The signing, witnessed by the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, took place at the Satria Pertiwi Complex earlier today.
Also present were, Datuk Haji Ibrahim Bin Haji Baki, Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak (Sarawak Energy and PETROS); Tan Sri Datuk Amar (Dr) Hamid Bin Bugo, PETROS Chairman; and Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili, PETROS Board Member.
The agreement provides a framework for SoftBank, Grab and PETROS to assess and develop a roadmap for an AI and digital infrastructure platform in Sarawak.
The phased initiative will explore AI computing and services, advanced technologies, robotics, workforce development and community participation, with the aim of building the infrastructure and capabilities needed to support high-value technology industries.
Under the framework, SoftBank is set to provide expertise in AI infrastructure, advanced computing, semiconductors and physical AI, while Grab contributes its applied AI capabilities and Southeast Asian digital ecosystem.
PETROS, meanwhile, will contribute its experience in harnessing Sarawak’s energy resources to drive economic development through the Sarawak Gas Roadmap and as the Master Developer of Kuching Low-Carbon Hub (KLCH).
The collaboration supports Sarawak’s ambition to develop a high-value, technology-driven economy and strengthen its position as a destination for AI infrastructure and advanced technology industries.
It aligns with the State’s aspiration to achieve high-income status by 2030 under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030, while complementing Malaysia’s digital economy and AI agenda under the Ekonomi MADANI framework and the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan.
The partnership is expected to create opportunities to attract strategic investment, develop Malaysian and Sarawakian talent and capabilities, and catalyse technology-driven economic activities across Sarawak, Malaysia and the wider region.
The initiative could further contribute to the expansion of Malaysia’s digital infrastructure and connectivity, including through the Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA) initiative.
The agreement marks another step in Sarawak’s efforts to build an integrated ecosystem where energy, digital infrastructure, advanced technology and human capital can support the State’s next phase of economic development.
By combining the respective strengths of SoftBank, Grab and PETROS, the collaboration provides a platform to explore new AI-related opportunities while strengthening Sarawak’s role in the emerging regional digital economy.