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SoftBank plans $50 billion Malaysia tech push, Anwar says via CNBC
CNBC, citing Bloomberg, reports Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said SoftBank Group plans $50 billion of investments in AI, new technologies and data centers; SoftBank did not immediately comment.
- New headline Was: “SoftBank reportedly plans $50 billion tech investment in aspiring 'AI nation' Malaysia”
- Our desk filed its story
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said SoftBank Group plans $50 billion of investments in Malaysia, CNBC reported Monday, citing a Bloomberg account1.
Anwar said Saturday that SoftBank chairman and chief executive Masayoshi Son had identified locations in Kuching, Sarawak, and in peninsular Malaysia after a video conference earlier in the week, according to that report1. He said the planned investments would focus on artificial intelligence, new technologies and data centers1.
The announcement comes as Malaysia seeks to become an "AI nation" by 2030 and has launched a national AI action plan this year to strengthen AI capabilities and infrastructure, CNBC said1. Earlier this month, SoftBank signed a framework agreement with Singapore-based Grab and Malaysia's Petroleum Sarawak Berhad to explore AI and digital infrastructure in Sarawak, including AI computing services, the report said1.
Other companies have also announced Malaysia data-center and cloud spending, CNBC said: Google a $2 billion investment in 2024 for a first data center and cloud region; Amazon Web Services $6.2 billion through 2038; and Microsoft $2.2 billion in cloud and AI infrastructure and other digital initiatives1. The Malaysian Investment Development Authority recorded 385.7 billion ringgit ($94 billion) in data center-related investments between 2021 and the first half of 2026, according to CNBC1.
SoftBank did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment1. The filing rests on CNBC's account of Anwar's remarks as reported by Bloomberg; SoftBank has not confirmed the $50 billion figure on the record in that story1.
