Osegi
Business·1 min read

SoftBank, Grab and PETROS Commit $1 Billion to Sarawak AI Hub

SoftBank Group, Grab Holdings and Sarawak-owned PETROS have signed a joint development agreement for AI infrastructure in Malaysia, with $1 billion in initial seed funding.

Aerial view of a modern data center complex at dusk, symbolizing AI infrastructure development in Sarawak, Malaysia.
Image: Impress Watch
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SoftBank Group has signed a joint development agreement with Grab Holdings and Petroleum Sarawak (PETROS) to build AI infrastructure in Sarawak, Malaysia. The three partners plan to invest a combined $1 billion (about 158 billion yen) as initial seed funding.

The agreement builds on a memorandum of understanding signed on October 8. SoftBank Group will lead the project and hold a majority stake. Of the initial capital, SoftBank will contribute $800 million, while Grab and PETROS will put in $100 million each.

What each partner brings

The venture combines SoftBank's expertise in AI and technology, Grab's digital and AI know-how, and PETROS's experience in energy and infrastructure development. Grab operates a super app across Southeast Asia, and PETROS is the integrated energy company owned by the Sarawak state government.

Over the long term, the partners aim to reach 5 GW of AI computing capacity. They will also explore opportunities across the wider AI value chain, including AI computing and services, advanced technologies, robotics, local talent development and community development.

Staged funding and next steps

The money will not be released at once. Funds will be paid in stages, depending on key milestones in development and customer contracts, as well as the satisfaction of required closing conditions.

The companies say they will move ahead in coordination with the Malaysian federal government and the Sarawak state government. For Southeast Asia, the project signals growing investment in large-scale computing capacity in the region, backed by local energy resources.

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Tags:softbankgrabpetrosmalaysiaai infrastructuresarawak

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