日经：软银拟在马来西亚投资500亿美元布局AI与数据中心，马总理转述、软银未官宣

TOKYO -- SoftBank Group is discussing a $50 billion investment plan in Malaysia focused on artificial intelligence and data centers as the Japanese technology conglomerate looks to expand its AI infrastructure push in Asia following investments in the U.S. and Europe.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he had discussed the plan in a video call with SoftBank Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son last week, according to a speech published Saturday by the Prime Minister's Office.
Anwar said Son had selected the state of Sarawak; its capital, Kuching; and Peninsular Malaysia as locations for the $50 billion in investments. Expressing hope that the projects would create jobs, the prime minister told students to take note of the opportunities they could bring.
SoftBank is expected to contribute only a portion of the total, with project financing and other sources likely to be used to fund the investments. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Japanese group said on Oct. 8 that it had signed a framework agreement with Southeast Asian ride-hailing company Grab and Malaysian energy company Petroleum Sarawak, or Petros, to explore the development of an AI infrastructure platform in the country.
The trio will consider building AI computing infrastructure in Sarawak, exploring opportunities in robotics and developing local AI talent. SoftBank will contribute expertise in financing and AI infrastructure design.
Malaysia aims to become a regional hub for AI and digital infrastructure, and SoftBank seeks to use the country as a springboard for expanding its AI investments across Asia.
The Japanese group is also developing AI infrastructure elsewhere overseas. In March, Son had announced a roughly $500 billion AI data center investment plan in Ohio as part of its push in the U.S. In May, the company had unveiled plans to invest up to 75 billion euros ($84 billion) in data center construction in France.