KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign direct investment (FDI) is crucial to Malaysia’s economic growth, helping expand the economy, develop modern infrastructure and strengthen the country’s position in the global artificial intelligence (AI) landscape.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this while commending Google for its US$15 billion investment commitment in Malaysia.
He said foreign investments must align with the Ekonomi Madani framework.
“FDI is vital, and its full power is realised when it elevates our fundamental pillars: building a globally competitive economy, developing our people, and ethically managing our natural resources,” he said at the Mantap Malaysia Bersama AI event at Universiti Malaya’s Chancellery building.
Earlier, Google announced plans to invest US$15 billion in Malaysia between 2027 and 2028 to develop digital infrastructure, including data centre campuses in industrial zones, expand clean energy capacity and strengthen local water security.
Anwar said the project would boost the country’s gross domestic product and create local employment during its construction phase, while its operations would offer high-value jobs with wages above the national median.
He also highlighted Google’s commitment to upskill 800,000 Malaysians and support technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions through practical, high-tech training.
Anwar also commended Google’s water stewardship project, which includes the construction of an off-river storage reservoir and a water treatment plant capable of supplying 65 million litres of potable water daily.
“This is to reduce monsoon flood risks, and secure water reserves during dry seasons.
“Upon completion, ownership of these facilities will be handed over directly to the state government as a permanent public asset,” he said.