SoftBank, Grab and PETROS bet on Malaysian AI infrastructure with 5 GW target

A $1 billion seed commitment kicks off a staged plan to build AI compute capacity in Sarawak SoftBank, Grab, and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) are teaming up to build AI infrastructure in Malaysia. The long-term goal is 5 GW of compute capacity in the state of Sarawak. The partners have been described as committing $1.85 billion to the effort. The binding paperwork so far locks in a smaller number: $1 billion in seed capital, released in stages as milestones are hit. The money, and the fine print The partnership has moved in two steps. On October 8, 2026, the three companies signed a framework agreement in Kuching, the Sarawak state capital. A Joint Development Agreement followed on November 9, 2026. That second document is where real money gets committed. The split is lopsided. SoftBank is putting in $800 million, while Grab and PETROS each contribute $100 million. The funds won’t arrive in one lump sum. Capital gets released in tranches, each tied to specific milestones. The $1.85 billion figure and other references to roughly $2 billion are likely rounded or broader estimates, according to the research findings. The confirmed commitment under the JDA is $1 billion. Then ther...