Google Cloud plans to build its first cloud region in Malaysia

After announcing regions in Thailand and New Zealand f0r the Asia Pacific region, Google Cloud has confirmed that Malaysia will also be having a cloud region to meet the growing demand for cloud services locally and around the world.

According to Ruma Balasubramanian, Managing Director, Southeast Asia, Google Cloud, the Malaysia cloud region will be dedicated to serving Google Cloud customers in the country, especially in offering local organizations the enterprise-grade capabilities they need to accelerate digital transformation and create new competitive advantages. This reinforces Google Cloud’s commitment to supporting the Malaysian government’s plans for the country’s next phase of economic development.

In fact, research by AlphaBeta, commissioned by Google, found that digital transformation, if leveraged fully, could create up to RM257.2 billion (US$61.3 billion) in annual economic value in Malaysia by 2030 – the equivalent of 17% of local GDP in 2020.

“8 in 10 Malaysians use digital services in their daily lives is a testament to the country’s rich creativity, strong entrepreneurial spirit, and openness toward embracing new technologies. The Malaysia cloud region will also deliver the cloud foundation that more local businesses need to transform and compete on the global stage – whether it’s by maximizing the use of data, enabling a hybrid workforce, or having the flexible platform to adapt to evolving market and regulatory conditions. We’re excited by this expanded opportunity to contribute to Malaysia becoming one of the world’s most competitive countries and the innovation engine of a digital economy in Southeast Asia that’s set to be worth RM4.46 trillion (US$ 1 trillion) by 2030,” commented Balasubramanian.

The cloud region will be complemented by Google Cloud’s existing Dedicated Cloud Interconnect locations in Cyberjaya and Kuala Lumpur, which provide direct connections between an organization’s on-premises network and Google Cloud’s global network. The Malaysia cloud region will join Google Cloud’s 11 existing regions across the Asia Pacific and Japan, including two in Southeast Asia –Singapore and Jakarta. With 34 regions and 103 zones currently in operation around the world, Google Cloud’s global network of cloud regions serves customers of all sizes, from public sector agencies and large enterprises to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups.

Google Cloud has, in particular, been gaining mindshare and market share with large enterprises operating in regulated industries. Leading companies like AFFIN Bank, Capital A, Hong Leong Bank, Maxis and Media Prima, just to name a few, have chosen Google Cloud as their trusted innovation partner to address five strategic priorities:

• Understanding and using data: Through a unified data platform that combines unstructured and structured data wherever it resides, Google Cloud enables organizations to reduce complexity, easily produce valuable business insights, and make smarter decisions in real-time.
• Establishing an open foundation for growth: Organizations running on Google Cloud’s flexible and open platform can quickly adapt as their needs evolve. Google Cloud’s open source heritage and commitment to multi-cloud and hybrid cloud architecture helps organizations retain their freedom of choice, enabling their software developers to build faster and more intuitively.
• Fostering a collaborative environment: Google Cloud provides the tools that organizations need to transform the way their people connect, create, and collaborate – whether they are returning to the office, working from home, or serving customers on the frontlines.
• Securing systems and users: As every company rethinks its security posture, Google Cloud helps them protect their data using the same infrastructure and security services that Google uses for its own global operations.
• Building a cleaner and more sustainable future: Google has been carbon neutral since 2007 and is working toward the goal of operating entirely on carbon-free energy by 2030. Today, when organizations run on Google Cloud, their workloads are already matched with 100% renewable energy.

Cloud region to boost Malaysian enterprises 

For Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A, the announcement of a new cloud region in Malaysia showcases Google Cloud’s continuous desire to expand its in-region capabilities to complement and support its aspirations of establishing the airasia Super App at the center of its e-commerce, logistics and fintech ecosystem, while enriching the local community and giving all 700 million people in ASEAN inclusivity, accessibility and value.

Fernandes also highlighted that Capital A has been championing the use of the cloud in all its businesses for some time. This includes moving all their data and workloads from on-premises to the cloud to cater to the growing demand and scalability needs of the organization.

“It’s all about latency. The cloud is here and it will only enable us to innovate quicker. When it comes to tech, you need to move fast and you can’t do it by yourself. You need partners like Google to help you in this journey. For the Malaysian tech industry, the new cloud region will enable the country to compete on a global and level playing field,” added Fernandes.

Both Balasubramanian and Fernandes also explained that cybersecurity will be at the core of their operations. For Capital A, they continue to ensure they adhere to best practices and work with the tech providers like Google to ensure all data is well secured and not used for the wrong reasons.

In the same way, Balasubramanian also mentioned that all data stored in Google Cloud is secured and encrypted in motion and at rest, with the encryption key only accessible to the customers. She added that Google never shares or leverages any customer data.

With that said, Malaysia will be a strategic market for Google Cloud as the cloud provider continues to gain mindshare and market share with large enterprises operating in regulated industries.

“We’re investing in local infrastructure, partnerships, programs, and partnering with the government to help local organizations accelerate innovation closer to home and seize new opportunities with Malaysia and Southeast Asia’s fast-growing economy,” concluded Balasubramanian.

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