Sarawak’s Advantage In Energy, Water Supply For Data Centres Says Premier

SINGAPORE / 21/10/2024

SINGAPORE, Mon: Sarawak has the advantage of having renewal energy and water in abundance for the data centre industry to thrive in the State, says Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Haji Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg. 

He was speaking at a luncheon hosted jointly by digital technology solutions provider Accenture and Google Singapore at the sidelines of his attendance at the weeklong Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) Summit. 

He noted that data centres needed sufficient and reliable supply of energy and water as a cooling agent to enable such centres to function smoothly.   

The Premier pointed out that the most important consideration for the possible setting up of a Google data centre in Sarawak would be the bottom line given the advantages Sarawak had compared to other areas like Johor. 

“You asked me if Google can go to Sarawak, it depends on you (Google). Its not up to us to decide because basically what you want is the bottom line. If you can have the bottom line more in Sarawak, why not come to Sarawak,” he said. 

For the record, Sarawak has one Tier IV data centre located in Santubong that was launched in 2022 and operated by PP Telecommunication Sdn. Bhd.

Recently, at IDECS 2024 Aizo Group Bhd had inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with NetRunner Sdn Bhd to jointly establish a Tier IV data centre hub in Sarawak to meet the increasing demand for secure and reliable data storage and processing facilities.

The Premier acknowledged that places like Singapore enjoyed an advantage for the growth of data centres but then pointed out that location would not be a problem as long as there was connectivity with the rest of the world. 

“Your operation can be in Sarawak but you may work from other parts of the world if there’s good connectivity,” he stressed. 

Later, he met with Singapore’s Senior Minister, Teo Chee Hean and the Education Minister Chan Chun Sing. 

Earlier, he had a meeting with Richard Lochhead, Minister for Business of the Scottish Government followed by another meeting with Yang Mulia Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Mohamad Azmi bin Haji Mohd. Hanifah, Deputy Minister (Energy) at the Prime Minister’s Office of the Brunei Government. 

Earlier, in the morning upon arrival at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, the Premier was interviewed by CNBC and later after delivering his keynote address launched the Sarawak Energy booth at the same venue. 

In the evening, the Premier and key members of his entourage were guests at a dinner hosted by Second Minister Tan See Leng.