SoftBank’s Son picks Malaysia for US$50b AI and data centres

SoftBank Group founder Masayoshi Son has chosen Kuching in Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia for about US$50 billion (RM204 billion) of investment in artificial intelligence (AI), new technology and data centres, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said in a speech in Melaka on 24 October 2026. Anwar said Son told him this on a video call on 20 October and called it "among the largest investments in the region".

SoftBank has not confirmed the amount, the sites or a timetable. No Malaysian company or joint venture has been announced for the plan.

Sarawak: likely Tanjung Embang

• Framework agreement, 8 October: SoftBank Group Corp, Grab Holdings and Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (PETROS) signed a framework agreement in Kuching to explore an AI and digital infrastructure platform in Sarawak. Son, Grab chief executive Anthony Tan and PETROS group chief executive Dato Janin Girie signed it in the presence of Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg
• Who brings what: SoftBank brings AI infrastructure, advanced computing, semiconductors and physical AI; Grab its Southeast Asian digital platform; PETROS energy supply and enabling infrastructure, as master developer of the Kuching Low-Carbon Hub. The three will draw up a roadmap for phased development
• Not binding: the agreement does not oblige the companies to sign definitive agreements or carry out the project. SoftBank's release lists the risks, including failing to secure suitable land, competitively priced and reliable power, connectivity or contracted customers
• The site: on 26 October Abang Johari confirmed that part of the US$50 billion would be in Sarawak and said it was likely to be located in Tanjung Embang, near Kuching. He did not name the investor
• The land: Tanjung Embang is the planned site of the Kuching Low-Carbon Hub, a new Kuching International Airport and a deep-sea port. In June the Premier told the state assembly that a 405 ha site there had been identified for a Kuching AI data campus with dedicated energy and water supplies, to be built through a public-private partnership starting with 120 ha
• Chips: on 4 November Abang Johari said Son was considering a next-generation semiconductor operation in Sarawak, noting that Son owns chip designer Arm

Peninsular Malaysia: no site named

No state, site, partner or capacity has been named for the Peninsular part of the plan.

The size of the plan

• Bigger than earlier pledges: Microsoft has pledged US$2.2 billion for cloud and AI infrastructure in Malaysia, Google US$2 billion, Oracle US$6.5 billion and Amazon US$6.2 billion by 2038
• Data-centre investment so far: the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) recorded about US$94 billion of data-centre investment from 2021 to mid-2026
• Who pays: SoftBank is expected to put in only part of the total, with financing and other partners providing the rest, Nikkei Asia reported
• Elsewhere: SoftBank is already working on a US$500 billion data-centre project in Ohio in the United States

What is not known yet

• SoftBank's own confirmation of the amount and the sites
• Which company will invest and own the projects in Malaysia
• Where in Peninsular Malaysia, how many megawatts, and when building would start