Grab is no longer just a ride hailing and food delivery app. On 9 November 2026, SoftBank Group, Grab and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) signed joint development agreements to build AI infrastructure in Malaysia, backed by US$1.85 billion in initial seed capital.
The plan covers two projects, one in Sarawak and one in Peninsular Malaysia, with a long term target of five gigawatts or more of AI computing capacity. Here is what was announced, and why business owners should pay attention.
Who is putting in what
According to SoftBank’s press release, the US$1.85 billion is split three ways:
- SoftBank Group: US$1 billion
- Grab: US$750 million
- PETROS: US$100 million
The money is not released in one go. It is deployed in stages as the projects hit development and customer contract milestones, and subject to closing conditions. The partners also plan to bring in more investors and to sign up hyperscaler customers, the large cloud companies that rent computing power at scale.
Two projects, two different leaders
The Sarawak project starts with US$1 billion: US$800 million from SoftBank, US$100 million from Grab and US$100 million from PETROS. SoftBank will be the majority shareholder. It builds on a framework agreement the parties signed in Kuching on 8 October 2026.
The Peninsular Malaysia project starts with US$850 million: US$650 million from Grab and US$200 million from SoftBank. Here Grab is the founding shareholder and leads development, with further funding expected through third party equity and project financing.
Grab co-founder and CEO Anthony Tan is expected to oversee both projects. No completion date has been announced.
Why Malaysia, and why now
SoftBank points to a large gap in AI use. Citing the e-Conomy SEA 2026 report by Google, Temasek and Bain & Company, the release says per capita AI usage across Southeast Asia’s six largest economies is around one tenth of the US level, and could grow by up to 60-fold by 2030. Whoever builds the computing capacity early stands to serve that demand.
The projects are also aligned with the National AI Action Plan 2026 to 2030 (AI Nation 2030), the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint and Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030. The facilities are meant to follow Malaysia’s renewable energy guidelines, with high efficiency designs that reduce water use and reliance on local power grids.
“AI infrastructure will power the next wave of growth, and Malaysia has the talent and ambition to help lead it.”
Masayoshi Son, Chairman and CEO, SoftBank Group
What the Prime Minister said
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim welcomed the deal in a post on X, as reported by Bernama via Malay Mail. He said SoftBank’s willingness to invest reflects confidence in Malaysia’s capabilities, investment climate and political stability.
Two of his points matter most for business owners. He said he expects the investment to create skilled jobs and help more Malaysians build AI expertise. He also said it should create opportunities for local businesses to supply goods and services. The government, he added, will work with the relevant state authorities to facilitate the project.
What this means for your business
SoftBank says the facilities will give governments, multinational companies and small businesses reliable access to advanced computing. No SME pricing or access scheme has been announced yet, so treat that as a direction, not a product you can buy today. The nearer opportunities are more practical:
- Supply chain: Data centres need construction, electrical and mechanical works, security, cleaning, maintenance, logistics and catering. If you run a services or contracting business in Sarawak or the Klang Valley, start building the track record and certifications that large projects ask for.
- Talent: Both SoftBank and the Prime Minister highlighted engineering, technical and AI jobs. Expect competition for skilled staff to rise. Upskilling your current team now is cheaper than hiring later.
- AI adoption: More local computing capacity usually means more AI services built for Malaysian users and languages. Businesses that already use AI tools for marketing, customer service and operations will be ready to take advantage first.
- Watch the milestones: Funding is released in stages. Follow announcements on site selection, contractors and customers to know when real tenders open.
Big infrastructure deals can feel far away from a small business. This one has a clear message: AI is becoming part of Malaysia’s core infrastructure, like roads and power. The businesses that prepare early will be the ones that benefit.
Sources
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