Anwar unveils national cloud policy at Google event

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has unveiled the National Cloud Policy, which emphasizes four areas, namely, public service innovation and efficiency; economic competitiveness and growth; fuelling economic expansion by enabling businesses, strengthening user trust and data security, and empower citizens through digital inclusivity, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said the MADANI government will boost public service innovation and efficiency, and by leveraging cloud technology, the government aims to modernize operations, foster citizen engagement, and streamline public service delivery.

“Secondly, we seek to promote economic competitiveness and growth, fuel economic expansion by enabling businesses – especially small and medium enterprises and startups – to harness cloud technology for innovation, operational efficiency, and access to global markets,” he said in his official remarks at Google's groundbreaking ceremony for its US$2 billion data center and cloud region in Malaysia.

Anwar highlighted that the government is committed to strengthening user trust and data security and will establish robust security frameworks and protocols to protect sensitive data and critical infrastructure in both public and private cloud environments.

Malaysia celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for its first Google data center in Kuala Lumpur. According to a press release, Google's investment is expected to generate an economic impact of more than $3.2 billion and create 26,500 jobs by 2030. The Google logo featured prominently at the ceremony, underscoring the importance of this major investment to Malaysia's future economic growth. 

The company this week held a ceremonial groundbreaking for its first data center and cloud region in Malaysia.

First announced in 2022, the $2 billion campus is located at the Elmina Business Park outside Kuala Lumpur.