Sharp, essential news and analysis from Malaysia.
Sime Darby Property has unveiled a RM2.6 billion green sukuk programme—the world's first for data centres—to finance hyperscale facilities and logistics assets at Elmina Business Park, aligning with Malaysia's digital economy expansion.
Malaysia's government will approve data centre projects only after confirming sufficient energy and water reserves exist beyond domestic and industrial needs, Deputy Minister Sim Tze Tzin told parliament, as the country pursues its semiconductor strategy.
New York has enacted the first statewide moratorium on large data centre development, affecting facilities with 50+ megawatts capacity. The move reflects growing tension between AI infrastructure needs and environmental concerns.
New York has become the first US state to impose a one-year moratorium on large data center construction, responding to concerns that artificial-intelligence facilities are driving up electricity costs and straining water supplies.
Countries and cities globally are imposing restrictions on new data centre construction, citing mounting concerns over power consumption, water depletion, and community impact from facilities supporting rapid AI expansion.
Major technology firms are aggressively pursuing Native American tribal lands for massive data centre development, particularly in Oklahoma. While some tribal leaders see economic opportunity, others view the expansion as a repetition of historical exploitation and warn of severe environmental consequences.