Malaysia’s Data Centre Boom Is Creating High-Paying Digital Jobs, Says Gobind

Malaysia's fast-growing data centre sector is not only attracting major technology investment, but also creating higher-value career opportunities for local talent. According to Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, jobs in this space can offer salaries of up to RM30,000 a month, depending on experience, technical capability, and role seniority.

Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, Gobind said entry-level positions in the data centre industry generally pay between RM3,000 and RM7,000 a month, while more senior and specialised roles can command salaries ranging from RM10,000 to RM30,000 a month.

That puts many of these jobs well above Malaysia's median monthly salary of RM2,793 in 2024, highlighting why the government sees data centres as more than just physical infrastructure projects.

More Than Just Buildings Full of Servers

Data centres are often viewed simply as large facilities that consume electricity, water, land, and cooling resources. However, Gobind said the sector also contributes to the creation of high-skilled jobs, especially in areas such as network engineering, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, data management, and artificial intelligence support systems.

Among the roles linked to the industry are network engineers, cloud architects, and data scientists. These are not low-skill operational jobs, but technical positions that require specialised knowledge in connectivity, infrastructure design, data processing, security, and system reliability.

This is important because Malaysia's digital economy cannot grow on infrastructure alone. The country also needs a stronger talent pipeline capable of supporting the systems behind cloud services, AI platforms, enterprise applications, and large-scale digital operations.

Training Local Talent for the Sector

Gobind also said major technology companies are helping to develop local talent through specialised training and certification programmes. This is an important part of the equation because the skills required in data centre operations are not always covered by traditional academic pathways.

In parallel, the government is working with Technical and Vocational Education and Training, or TVET, institutions to build a training framework for the sector. This could help more Malaysians enter the industry through practical skills-based routes, especially in areas such as facility operations, network support, electrical systems, cooling systems, and cloud infrastructure support.

For Malaysia, this is where the data centre boom could deliver longer-term benefits. If the country can train enough local workers, more of the economic value from these investments can stay within the local workforce instead of relying heavily on imported expertise.

The Bigger Question: Is Malaysia Only Attractive Because of Cheap Utilities?

The issue was raised in Parliament after Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik questioned whether data centre development genuinely adds value to the economy, or whether companies are mainly attracted to Malaysia because of relatively affordable water and electricity.

That question matters because data centres can be resource-intensive. They require large amounts of electricity to power servers and cooling systems, and some facilities also require significant water resources depending on their cooling technology.

As more data centres are built, especially AI-focused facilities, the environmental and infrastructure impact becomes more difficult to ignore. AI workloads can be particularly demanding because they require powerful computing hardware that generates more heat and consumes more energy.

Government Says Sustainability Is Part of the Approval Process

Gobind said the government is taking a forward-looking approach to ensure that data centre expansion does not create long-term harm for the environment or nearby communities.

To manage this, the government has established the Data Centre Task Force, or DCTF, as a national-level coordination and assessment mechanism. According to Gobind, proposed data centre developments are reviewed comprehensively before approval is considered.

The assessment includes factors such as:

This suggests the government is trying to avoid a situation where rapid investment growth puts excessive pressure on local utilities or creates problems for residents living near these developments.

Pushing Operators Towards Greener Practices

Gobind said data centre operators are being encouraged to use more renewable energy, adopt high-efficiency cooling systems, and reduce reliance on treated water. This includes using alternative water sources and rainwater harvesting where suitable.

These measures are important because the long-term success of Malaysia's data centre industry will depend not only on attracting investment, but also on proving that growth can be managed responsibly.

A data centre may bring jobs and digital infrastructure, but if it strains local electricity supply, increases water stress, or causes environmental concerns, the benefits can become harder to justify. Sustainable design and transparent resource management will therefore be critical as the sector expands.

Planning and Environmental Reviews Still Apply

Data centre developments are also subject to planning guidelines prepared by PLANMalaysia, along with the normal planning permission process. Relevant agencies, including the Department of Environment Malaysia and other technical bodies, are also involved in reviewing projects where required.

Gobind said these mechanisms help ensure that site suitability, utility capacity, environmental risk, and community well-being are assessed before projects move forward.

Operators are also encouraged to adopt better sustainability practices, including proper electronic waste management, energy-efficient technologies, and regular reporting on resource consumption.

Final Thoughts

Malaysia's data centre boom is clearly becoming an important part of the country's digital economy. The promise of salaries reaching up to RM30,000 a month shows that the sector can create meaningful high-skilled job opportunities, especially for Malaysians with the right technical training.

However, the industry's growth also comes with serious questions around energy use, water demand, environmental impact, and community pressure. The real challenge is not simply attracting more data centres, but ensuring that they create strong local value while operating responsibly.

If Malaysia can balance investment, talent development, and sustainability, data centres could become more than just large server facilities. They could become a foundation for higher-paying digital careers, stronger cloud and AI infrastructure, and a more competitive technology economy.