THE Penang government has expressed its strong commitment to supporting local web hosting giant Exabytes in its plans to establish a tier-3 data centre in the state.
Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo stated that, if realised, this would mark the first tier-3 data centre in Penang—a significant milestone for the state’s technological advancement.
“A tier-3 data centre is a strategic asset for businesses seeking reliable, resilient, and efficient data handling solutions.
“It offers an optimal balance between performance, reliability, and cost, making it a preferred choice for enterprises requiring high availability,” Jagdeep said during a visit to the company in Bayan Baru today.
Also present were Exabytes chief executive officer Chan Kee Siak and Exabytes senior vice president of finance Ken Tang.
However, he acknowledged the challenges associated with setting up such a facility.
“Developing a tier-3 data centre is no small feat, as it demands substantial resources, particularly electricity and water.
“Despite these challenges, the Penang government is fully prepared to extend all necessary assistance to facilitate this project.
“After all, Penang aims to lead in technology and science, and initiatives like this align perfectly with our vision,” he added.
Jagdeep also emphasised that the state government’s agenda includes transforming Penang into a smart city.
To achieve this, he said, collaboration with innovative companies like Exabytes is crucial.
“Exabytes is not just any company; it is Southeast Asia’s leading provider of business, cloud, digital, and e-commerce solutions.
“The company serves over 160,000 customers, ranging from individuals and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) to public-listed companies and government agencies.
“The future lies in technology, science, artificial intelligence (AI), and digitalisation, and Penang is committed to advancing in these areas,” Jagdeep explained.
Meanwhile, Chan expressed his gratitude for the state government’s support.
“The proposed tier-3 data centre will likely be established in the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone (FIZ).
“Discussions are ongoing with several parties, and further details will be announced in due course,” Chan revealed.
Story and pix by Riadz Akmal