A GOOD headline is worth its weight in gold and the one about Google creating 26,000 new jobs by 2030 through its investment in a brand spanking new data centre is definitely attracting plenty of eyeballs and perhaps even a few raised eyebrows.
“This investment covers the development and operation of Google’s first data centre and cloud services infrastructure in Malaysia. Once operational, it is expected to generate an economic impact of US$3.2 billion and create 26,500 jobs by 2030,” crowed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in a post on his Facebook platform on Thursday (Feb 26).
The news piece can be found at: https://www.bernama.com/en/region/news.php?id=2527947
This was after hosting a video conference with Alphabet and Google president and chief investment officer Ruth Porat and her team earlier in the day.
In 2024, Google announced its RM9.4 bil investment commitment in Malaysia, which includes the development of its first data centre and a Google Cloud region to meet growing demand for cloud services locally and globally, as well as an artificial intelligence (AI) literacy programme for students and educators in the country.
Such lofty predictions certainly caught the attention of X user, Pedoq, what is this behaviour? (@pedoqpop) who queried if data centres did indeed require such hefty manpower. The sports walking enthusiast and influencer invited relevant experts to shed light on the matter.
More than a few observers suggested that the employment numbers would be high especially during the construction phase of the project. One helpfully provided a link to a report backing up that view.
It was also suggested that a large number of those available jobs would be set aside for foreign nationals, including tech jobs at the data centres. This alongside the observation that the construction phase and even the actual data centre itself would be dominated by migrant workers underline that some Malaysians believe the economy is over-reliant on foreign talent.
However, there were those who doubted the veracity of the figure, claiming that PMX had included all and sundry in his estimates, including the insects and reptiles.
To be fair, that is how employment opportunities are estimated, reptiles and wildlife aside. It is not limited to just direct services related to the project but ancillary and auxiliary services as well highlighted this clued-in observer. Cooks, cleaners and many other workers providing essential services will be required.
Another commenter also mentioned the types of professionals required to build, operate and maintain a data centre, suggesting there is credence to PMX’s claim.
One commenter further explained that the economic spillover of having such a data centre was the creation of many new jobs, direct or indirectly. The surrounding area would benefit from greater economic activity it was surmised.
This was seen also as an opportunity for new grads and those working abroad to return to contribute towards Malaysia’s economic growth.
All said and done, it is a good-looking headline. Whether one believes it will depend on one’s political leanings.
— Focus Malaysia
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