Softbank, Grab and PETROS invest US$1b in Sarawak AI infrastructure project

Details: John Tanner; Category: Data Centres & Networks; 11 November 2026; 424 views

Japan’s SoftBank Group announced on Monday it has signed a joint development agreement (JDA) with Singapore-based digital powerhouse Grab and Malaysian oil and gas firm Petroleum Sarawak (PETROS) to invest US$1 billion in developing AI data centre infrastructure in Sarawak.

Under the JDA – which follows a framework agreement signed by all three companies last month – the multi-year AI infrastructure project has set a long-term target of building 5GW of AI compute capacity.

The project will be led and majority-owned by SoftBank, which will invest US$800 million. Grab and PETROS will serve as strategic partners, with each investing US$100 million. Grab will contribute its digital and AI expertise to the project, while PETROS will leverage its local energy and infrastructure development experience.

The agreement also calls for Softbank, Grab and PETROS to explore opportunities across the wider AI value chain, including AI compute and services, advanced technologies, robotics, local workforce and community development in Sarawak.

Softbank said the proposed US$1 billion investment will be deployed in stages, which will be subject to projects achieving key development and customer contract milestones, as well as the necessary closing conditions.

All three partners will also seek additional investors and hyperscaler customers to support the project's development and long-term expansion.

SoftBank Group chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son said the investment will support Malaysia's ambition to become a regional AI hub, while creating opportunities for Sarawak to diversify its economy and move towards higher-value industries.

“Together with Grab and Petros, we aim to create lasting opportunities in Sarawak and support the development of technology-driven economic activity across Malaysia and the wider region,” Son said in a statement.

Anthony Tan, co-founder, chairman and CEO of Grab, added that Sarawak’s abundant energy resources, established power generation capacity and growing digital economy ambitions provide a strong foundation for the development of large-scale AI infrastructure.

“Sarawak's focus on sustainable energy use and long-term vision make it a natural home for AI infrastructure that can serve all of Southeast Asia,” Tan said.

PETROS group CEO Janin Girie said the project will prepare Sarawak for its next phase of economic transformation beyond oil and gas.

“We want to build a high-income economy where technology and innovation create new industries, opportunities and high-value jobs for Sarawakians,” he said. “By bringing advanced AI and computing capabilities closer to our local businesses, industries and talents, we can strengthen their capabilities, improve competitiveness and enable greater participation in the digital economy.”