AirTrunk Announces $3 Billion Investment in Two Hyperscale Data Centres in Johor Bahru

AirTrunk has announced plans to invest MYR12 billion (approximately USD3 billion) in two new hyperscale data centre campuses in Iskandar Puteri, Johor Bahru, Malaysia, the company said April 30. The facilities, to be designated JHB3 and JHB4, will deliver a combined 280 megawatts (MW) of IT load capacity and will be located in close proximity to AirTrunk's existing JHB1 and JHB2 campuses in the same region.

The announcement raises AirTrunk's total committed investment in Malaysia to approximately MYR27 billion (USD6.8 billion) and expands the company's Malaysian platform to more than 700MW of IT load across four campuses. AirTrunk said it is also planning further expansion in Malaysia beyond JHB3 and JHB4.

Designed for AI and Cloud Workloads

The JHB3 and JHB4 campuses will be purpose-built to support high-density cloud and artificial intelligence workloads. AirTrunk said the designs prioritize energy efficiency, with the facilities expected to operate at significantly lower power usage levels than conventional data centres. The campuses will also incorporate advanced cooling systems that utilize 100% recycled water, a feature the company said is intended to minimize impact on local water resources.

AirTrunk's existing JHB1 and JHB2 campuses, which together account for more than 420MW of IT load, are described by the company as nearly 100% contracted and tracking ahead of investment plans. The company said the JHB2 campus, announced in early 2025, has already attracted strong commitments from existing global cloud and AI customers.

"JHB3 and JHB4 represents the next phase of our expansion in Malaysia, building on the strong momentum of our existing Johor platform," said Robin Khuda, Founder and CEO of AirTrunk. "Malaysia has set a clear ambition to lead in AI, and we're investing in that vision for the long term, both within Johor and across the country in time. Our confidence comes from the strong partnership we have with the Malaysian Government and local stakeholders, who have supported us every step of the way. As we scale, the way we grow will matter as much as the trajectory. With that investment comes a responsibility to support communities, manage resources wisely, and embed that in how we plan, build and operate every day."

Sustainability and Energy Central to Project Design

Sustainability and responsible use of energy and water resources are central to the project's design framework. Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, YAB Datuk Amar Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof, cited the development as aligned with the country's broader digital infrastructure goals.

"Investments like AirTrunk's Johor expansion reflect growing confidence in Malaysia and play an important role in advancing innovation, talent development and long-term economic benefit for both the community and the environment," Fadillah said. "We welcome AirTrunk's data centre investment that align with our vision of efficiency, sustainability and the use of clean energy."

Australia's High Commissioner to Malaysia, Her Excellency Danielle Heinecke, also commented on the investment, noting that it "supports Malaysia's growth in the digital economy while also strengthening the connection between our two countries."

Local Economic Impact

The development of JHB3 and JHB4 is expected to generate significant economic activity in Johor. AirTrunk said construction of the two campuses is projected to create more than 3,000 jobs, with ongoing employment expected once the facilities become operational. The company has already awarded MYR423 million (USD107 million) in contracts to local suppliers, a figure it expects to grow to MYR5 billion (USD1.3 billion) upon completion of all four campuses.

AirTrunk outlined several community partnership initiatives tied to the expansion:

• STEM Education and Digital Literacy: A collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) providing multi-year STEM scholarships and industry engagement. AirTrunk also supported Johor Digital Literacy Day 2025 in partnership with ICDL.
• Water Replenishment: Through partnerships with Gravity Water and Water Watch Penang, AirTrunk is delivering rainwater-harvesting solutions to provide potable water in schools across Johor Bahru, alongside water stewardship and climate resilience education initiatives.
• Disaster Resilience and Response: A partnership with MERCY Malaysia to support flood resilience initiatives in Johor and national disaster response efforts.

Malaysia Expansion Part of Broader Asia-Pacific Platform Growth

The Johor announcement follows AirTrunk's entry into India, disclosed the prior week, where the company has announced a planned investment of more than USD5 billion in the near term. Upon completion of JHB3 and JHB4, AirTrunk said it will have more than 3.3 gigawatts (GW) of operating and planned capacity across 22 campuses in six regions: Australia, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and India.

Malaysia's government has positioned the country as a regional digital and AI hub through coordinated policy, infrastructure investment, and public-private partnerships, a framework that AirTrunk cited as a key factor underpinning its continued commitment to the market.

Sources

AirTrunk – AirTrunk doubles down in Malaysia with two new hyperscale campuses in Johor Bahru (April 30, 2026)