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SoftBank, Grab and Petros Sign Framework Agreement to Explore AI Data Center Project in Borneo

By: IDCNOVARegion: Southeast Asia
SoftBank Group has partnered with Singaporean technology company Grab Holdings and Malaysian state-owned oil and gas firm Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) to explore the development of an artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure platform in Sarawak, Malaysia, signaling a potential new entrant into the fast-growing Borneo data center market.

The three parties signed a framework agreement this month to collaborate on a roadmap for the phased development of the platform, which they said would support Sarawak's ambition to build a high-value, technology-driven economy while contributing to the expansion of Malaysia's digital infrastructure and connectivity. Full details of any planned data center development were not disclosed.

Under the agreement, the companies will also explore opportunities across the wider AI value chain, including AI compute and services, advanced technologies, robotics, local workforce development and community initiatives. The collaboration brings together three distinct players: SoftBank's technology investment expertise, Grab's regional digital platform reach, and Petros's standing as a state-owned energy firm wholly owned by the Government of Sarawak.

Grab, founded as MyTeksi in 2012 and listed on Nasdaq, operates a so-called super-app across Asia offering ride-hailing, food delivery and digital payment services. The company is a major AWS customer, giving it existing exposure to cloud infrastructure at scale.

Sarawak, located on the island of Borneo, is not currently known as a major data center hub, but several projects have been announced there in recent years. Poseidon Technologies announced plans for a facility on the island in October 2023, while Aizo Group and Netrunner unveiled plans for a data center in Sarawak in October 2024. FutureData is targeting a 500MW project in the state.

The framework agreement reflects a broader trend of energy companies, technology platforms and investment groups converging on Southeast Asia's digital infrastructure sector, drawn by rising AI compute demand and government incentives aimed at attracting high-value technology investment. For Sarawak, the involvement of Petros — an oil and gas firm with access to energy resources — could prove strategically significant, as power availability remains one of the most critical constraints on data center development across the region.