Global Telecommunications first off-taker for Kuching’s FutureData Park
KUCHING (Oct 10): Global Telecommunications is set to be the first off-taker to set up its data centre within FutureData Park here. FutureData Consortium, led by TSG Group of Sarawak and Cyclect of Singapore, announced this during a ceremony at its booth in DC World, Singapore yesterday. The 500MW site for the data centre was first announced in June 2023 at Shape the World Summit here witnessed by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. TSG Group said in a press statement today that the high-density data centre will be designed to support next-generation digital infrastructure. It will be purpose-built to cater to cutting-edge applications such as Large Language Model (LLM) training and GPU as a Service (GaaS), making it a vital hub for artificial intelligence (AI) development and cloud computing services. Additionally, the data centre shall provide edge computing solutions along with Internet Data Exchange (IDE) services, enhancing data handling and processing at the edge of networks for faster and more efficient performance. Costing above US$130 million (RM617.84 million), the centre will operate on a robust 17MW power supply, offering significant energy capacity to power the demanding workloads of modern computing systems. It will be designed to support over 1,000 racks, with selective high-density racks delivering up to 125KW of power, providing the scalability required for high-performance computing environments. Construction will begin in the second quarter of 2025 and it is expected to be online by 2026. Through this project, the company aims to position itself as a key player in the region’s digital economy by delivering the infrastructure needed to support emerging technologies, cloud services, and AI-driven innovations. The facility’s strategic location and advanced design make it a cornerstone for data exchange, connectivity, and AI infrastructure development in East Malaysia. “As the pioneer developer heeding the call of the state government to develop large-scale data centre parks in Sarawak, in line with the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030, TSG Group is proud to partner with Global Telecommunications Group to set up the first AI DC in Sarawak for our FutureData project,” said TSG chief executive officer Datuk Chris Chung. Global Telecommunications chairman Stanley Ling said with existing data centres in Peninsular Malaysia, having this next AI DC in Sarawak means the company now has a pan-Malaysian network of data centres. “We are excited about the vast potential growth in Sarawak, Sabah, and the rise of Kalimantan. The future is indeed Sarawak,” he said. Cyclect chief executive officer Melvin Tan said the company is proud and excited to be part of this pioneering project in Kuching, which marks a major milestone for AI-driven infrastructure in Borneo. “FutureData Park will set new standards in sustainability and digital innovation, providing the foundation for industries to leverage the power of AI and next-gen computing,” he said. TSG Group is a diversified group in Sarawak with transformative businesses in infrastructure and rural development, property development, oil palm plantation, Paulownia tree plantation for environmental sustainability, and future economy projects focusing on food, environment, data, and space exploration. In Singapore, TSG group’s interests are represented by its investment company DesignFutures Venture Pte Ltd. Among those present during the announcement were Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (Statos) CEO Chew Chang Guan, Dylan Yee (TSG Group), Lawrence Chong (FutureData), Sylvester Wong (Global Telecommunications), and Kenny Lau (Statos).
Press Metal expands upstream with alumina refinery JV in Kalimantan
KUCHING (Sept 19): Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Berhad has entered into a shareholders’ agreement and share subscription agreement with PT Alakasa Alumina Refineri (AAR), PT Dinamika Sejahtera Mandiri (DSM) and PT Kalimantan Alumina Nusantara (KAN). This is to set up a strategic joint venture where KAN will establish and operate an integrated alumina refinery plant, power plant, jetty and supporting infrastructure in Sanggau, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. The refinery is expected to have an annual production capacity of 1 to 1.2 million metric tonnes, with a potential expansion to double this output. The total cost for Phase 1 is US$750 million, or about RM3.238 billion. Press Metal will subscribe for 80 per cent equity interest in KAN for a total subscription price of RM1.036 billion, executed in seven tranches over the next year, and funded through the Group’s internally generated funds. AAR and DSM shall hold 19.77 and 0.23 per cent, respectively. Group chief executive officer Tan Sri Paul Koon said the project represents a unique opportunity to drive sustainable long-term growth. “By partnering with AAR and DSM through this joint venture, we are not only expanding our upstream business operations but also unlocking synergies that will enhance the overall value of the Press Metal group. “This venture aligns with our strategy to reinforce and continuously strengthen our leading position as the largest smelter in Southeast Asia and boost our competitive edge across the aluminium value chain. “It is an effective approach towards expanding our upstream presence while ensuring higher self-sufficiency and a stable supply of our alumina needs, which are critical to our core smelting operations. “This will also reduce our reliance on third-party suppliers and traders, ensuring greater operational resiliency and efficiency. “With a long-term offtake agreement expected to commence once the refinery is operational, we anticipate cost savings that will further optimise our overall operations”, he said.
