DayOne to invest GBP £28 billion in Malaysia by 2026

DayOne will invest more than RM28 billion in Malaysia by the end of 2026, making the country its largest global operating base.

The Singapore-headquartered data centre operator expects Malaysia to account for more than half of its total headcount growth in 2026 as it works to double its local workforce to about 1,200 direct jobs. Its broader expansion is also expected to support more than 5,000 jobs across the supply chain ecosystem.

The plan adds to a wave of data centre investment in Malaysia, particularly in Johor and Kuala Lumpur, as operators expand regional capacity to meet demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence. DayOne's latest commitment deepens its presence in a market that has become increasingly important to digital infrastructure groups across Southeast Asia.

A key part of the expansion is the second phase of the company's Global Shared Services Centre in Kuala Lumpur, which is expected to create more than 200 roles across finance, procurement, investment and corporate functions.

Alongside the investment, the group launched two talent programmes for internships and graduate pathways. The schemes are intended to give young recruits early exposure to the digital infrastructure sector and practical work experience.

In Johor, DayOne plans to train more than 1,000 data centre engineers through its Regional Operations and Training Hub. The programme is designed to support infrastructure built for artificial intelligence workloads.

Hiring Push

The announcements were made at a technology and AI careers event in Kuala Lumpur that, according to the company, drew more than 1,000 participants. DayOne said 30 exhibiting companies and 13 Malaysian universities took part, with more than 500 roles presented across the technology and AI sector.

Representatives from Malaysian public bodies, including the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, Social Security Organisation and TalentCorp Malaysia, were present. DayOne described the recruitment drive as part of a broader effort to link infrastructure investment with local workforce development.

Jamie Khoo, chief executive of DayOne, said Malaysia sits at the centre of the group's regional plans.

"Malaysia is not just a market for DayOne; it is a long-term commitment and a cornerstone of our regional strategy," Khoo said.

"The RM28 billion cumulative investment and the hiring and talent development we are announcing today are backed by real infrastructure: a regional operations hub in Johor, an expanded shared services center in Kuala Lumpur, and now two talent programs that will connect Malaysia's best and brightest to the opportunities being created across the SIJORI corridor. Our role extends beyond infrastructure, as we see DayOne playing an active role in contributing to the digital backbone that enables Malaysia's long-term economic growth," he added.

Policy Support

The event also featured a recorded message from Malaysia's deputy prime minister, who highlighted the role of collaboration between government, industry and academia in building digital infrastructure and workforce skills.

"Government, industry, and academia must work together. We do not just create jobs, we create opportunities. And more importantly, we build talent that can compete globally. That is why initiatives like the DayOne Tech and AI Career Expo really matter. This is where ambition meets opportunities. Preparing our youth not just to find jobs, but to become creators, innovators, and leaders of the future. May this platform be the beginning of something bigger for you and for Malaysia," said Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Malaysia has emerged as one of the region's most active data centre markets, with international operators and investors seeking land, power access, and regional connectivity outside Singapore. Johor, in particular, has benefited from spillover demand because of its proximity to Singapore, while Kuala Lumpur continues to attract support functions and technology hiring.

DayOne's network spans several Asian markets as well as Finland. By making Malaysia its largest operating footprint, the company is signalling that it sees the country as central to its regional staffing, operations and support structure.

The careers event included keynote sessions, panel discussions and workshops on workforce development, career pathways and the use of AI in industry. Participating universities included Universiti Malaya, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, according to the company.

The Kuala Lumpur shared services expansion and Johor training hub form part of the infrastructure already in place behind the investment plan, with more than 200 roles to be added in the capital and more than 1,000 engineers to be trained in Johor.