
Microsoft launches Malaysia West Cloud region, its first in the country
KUALA LUMPUR: Microsoft has announced the general availability of its Malaysia West Cloud Region, launched as part of its US$2.2 billion investment in the country.
Microsoft Cloud and Artificial Intelligence (AI) executive vice president Scott Guthrie said the new cloud region, located in Greater Kuala Lumpur, will deliver world-class AI datacentre infrastructure and enable organisations to accelerate innovation securely - supporting a future that is inclusive, sustainable, and AI-ready.
"We are providing the critical digital foundation for Malaysia to become a regional AI hub, enabling secure, scalable innovation aligned to national goals.
"This new cloud region will feature three availability zones for high availability and geo-redundancy, and provide in-country data residency in compliance with local and international regulatory frameworks," he said during the keynote address at the Microsoft AI Tour, here, today.
In a statement, Microsoft said the new region would also give customers access to the advanced services in productivity, data analytics, cybersecurity, computing, and storage.
These include Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365, and Microsoft's suite of business applications, which will be made available soon.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, in a recorded speech, said the Malaysia West Cloud Region provides an opportunity for the country to move further up the value chain by leveraging cutting-edge digital and AI technologies.
"Together, adopting a whole-of-nation approach, let us seize this opportunity to surge ahead and solidify Malaysia's position as a regional leader in the digital and AI economy," he said. - Bernama
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Barnama
37 minutes ago
- Barnama
Budget 2026: LKIM Seeks Allocation To Repair Ageing Fish Landing Complexes
GEORGE TOWN, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- The Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) hoped that the government will allocate funds under the 2026 Budget, to be tabled in October, to repair ageing fish landing complexes and facilities across the country. LKIM chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil said the agency has identified more than 10 dilapidated fish landing complexes in need of urgent repairs, including those in Chendering, Kemaman and Dungun in Terengganu; Kota Tinggi in Johor; and Lumut in Perak. 'The main priority I want to focus on is securing a budget that emphasises the rehabilitation of fish landing complexes, as many of these facilities are in a dilapidated state. We are currently conducting studies to identify the necessary upgrades so that repairs can be carried out next year. 'The amount of allocation required is still being evaluated by the Public Works Department, and we hope it will be included in the Budget 2026,' he told reporters after presenting aid to fishermen during the LKIM chairman's Rahmah Mesra MADANI with Penang fishermen at the Jelutong Fish Landing Complex here today. Meanwhile, he also expressed hope that the government would continue existing initiatives and assistance for fishermen to safeguard their welfare, while at the same time motivating them to be more productive in boosting their catch. Muhammad Faiz also expressed hope that the 2026 Budget, to be tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, will continue key initiatives, including the RM1.6 billion fuel subsidy allocated this year, the fishermen's housing project, and the rehabilitation of ageing fish landing complexes and facilities nationwide. On requests from fishermen for the government to consider import duty exemptions on equipment such as nets and fishing gear, he said any adjustment would require careful study and deliberation at both the ministry and Cabinet levels. 'There is a need to review import duties in the upcoming Budget 2026 to help ensure the sustainability and financial stability of the fishing industry. While import duties remain an important source of government revenue, discussions on possible exemptions are still ongoing,' he said. He added that recent concerns in the sector were also triggered by the imposition of the sales and service tax (SST) on various aquaculture materials.

Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Tengku Zafrul: Malaysia controlling stream of rare earth in bid to keep value, keeping both US and China at bay
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 — Malaysia is banning exports of unprocessed rare earths while at the same time attempting to court downstream investment to retain their value added at home, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Aziz said. Speaking in an interview with US-based CNBC's 'Squawk Box Asia', Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia has discussed its rare-earth strategy with both Washington and Beijing during broader negotiations. 'Today, we engage both sides. And to be fair, both China and US have never said that you can't supply to the other, right? You can't not do business with the other,' he said. He also said that both countries have reminded Malaysia that it cannot have two different standards on rare earth exports. 'So we have to be consistent, to be neutral. You have to consider, we can't have policies which differentiates our relationship with one party to the other, to one country to another. 'So that's, I think, key. Once you do that, then it's very hard to defend that neutrality position,' he added. Tengku Zafrul pointed to the moratorium on rare earth elements exports, highlighting Australian miners Lynas as among firms operating under rules that permit exports after processing. 'So what we are doing now is we're saying that, look, we invite all companies to come to Malaysia and to be part of the supply chain to invest in the downstream activities of rare earth, and then we can then export the value-add of those right now,' he said. Tengku Zafrul argued the approach maximises economic spillovers and strengthens the case for keeping processing domestic. He also framed the policy as a way to anchor higher-value activity in Malaysia while staying open to all buyers under equal rules. Earlier this month, Tengku Zafrul announced that Malaysia will no longer allow the export of raw rare earth minerals, in a move to promote local downstream development. Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia remains open to foreign investment, but it must involve local processing, job creation, and technology transfer.

Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Tengku Zafrul concedes Malaysia hit with 19pc US tariffs after refusing to cross ‘red lines', but insists won't retaliate
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 — Malaysia faces a 19 per cent tariffs from the United States since it refuses to cross the 'red lines' in its negotiations with Washington, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abd Aziz has said. Speaking in an interview with US-based CNBC's 'Squawk Box Asia', Tengku Zafrul said that Malaysia will however not retaliate since the US is too important as an investor and export destination for Malaysia and Asean. 'We've seen that there were some red lines that we discussed during our tariff negotiation, and they understood,' he said. 'And I mean, that's, I guess, one of the reasons why we got 19 per cent is because we don't meet up with all the requests. We didn't agree with all the requests.' The transcript of the interview was made available to Malay Mail. On August 1, the US announced it has imposed a reduced tariff of 19 per cent on Malaysian imports — revised from the initially scheduled 25 per cent. Last month, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed that Malaysia will not bow to pressure that could undermine national policies, including negotiations with the US related to tariffs. He said that although investment and trade with the US are significant, Malaysia has a 'red line' in negotiations — namely the Bumiputera policy — which must not be compromised, even if it is perceived as 'discriminatory' by external parties. In addition, Tengku Zafrul also acknowledged market concern over possible sectoral tariffs, noting former US president Donald Trump has floated duties as high as 300 per cent on semiconductor products. He said semiconductor tariffs remain at 0 per cent, but warned that sharp hikes would hit Malaysia and its regional peers. 'If you look at the supply chain of semiconductor, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, I mean all the Asean countries are quite involved in that supply chain into the US, into China, into Europe. And this will have an impact to not just for Malaysia or for Asean, but globally as well,' he said. On diversification, he said Malaysia is pressing ahead with multiple trade tracks to reduce over-reliance on not only US, but also China. Tengku Zafrul also disclosed Malaysia has concluded a trade deal with South Korea that is slated to be signed at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) or a leaders' summit. Talks with the European Union have resumed after stalling in 2012, and engagement with the Gulf Cooperation Council has begun, he added. He said Malaysia is also pushing to upgrade the Asean-India Trade in Goods Agreement and has concluded a third-version upgrade of the Asean-China Free Trade Agreement with green and digital chapters. Tengku Zafrul added that with intra-Asean trade still below 25 per cent, an Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement — set for discussion in Malaysia on the 28th — will be critical to pull more small and medium enterprises into regional trade.