MONEY MASTER

Malaysia’s  Forest City  was conceived as a futuristic metropolis, but the US$100 billion development has spent much of the past decade struggling with weak occupancy, sluggish property sales and questions over what could ultimately bring the city to life. Now, an unexpected answer may be emerging:  technology rather than property . Malaysian crypto entrepreneur  Jeff Yew , the former head of Binance Australia and current chief executive of Monochrome Asset Management, is considering establishing a technology campus at Forest City. The proposed project could focus on artificial intelligence, blockchain and computer science, while combining international talent with the development of Malaysian entrepreneurs. The plans remain preliminary, but they raise a bigger question for investors:  Could Forest City become part of Malaysia’s push to build a higher-value digital economy? From Property Megaproject to Technology Hub? Forest City’s challenge has never simply bee...

  Malaysia Positions Johor as the Next Data Centre Capital Khazanah Nasional’s infrastructure arm,  UEM Group Bhd , is gearing up to unlock its extensive land holdings in Johor to support Malaysia’s accelerating data centre build-out. Managing director  Datuk Amran Hafiz Affifudin  said UEM will supply clean energy and industrial land as demand surges from hyperscalers and multinational cloud players. Johor has rapidly become the country’s data centre hotspot, attracting  RM164.45 billion  in investments as of 2Q and projected to host  60% of Malaysia’s total data centre capacity by 2030 . UEM Sunrise — one of Johor’s largest landowners with  4,600 acres  — is in the final stages of preparing the  40-acre Gerbang Nusajaya Industrial Park , designed to run on renewable energy. Major Green Power Investments to Support Future Loads UEM’s clean energy arm  UEM Lestra  will soon break ground on a  1GW hybrid solar plant , backe...

 Key Takeaways President Donald Trump begins his second UK state visit, marked by royal ceremony and high-level meetings. US tech giants commit  £31B ($42B)  in UK investments, led by  Microsoft ($30B)  and  Google ($6B) . Focus areas include  AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, and clean energy . UK-US tech partnership aims to deepen collaboration in critical technologies, with Nvidia and OpenAI CEOs present. Political theater aside, the deal signals stronger transatlantic ties in next-generation tech. Tech Investment Spotlight Microsoft pledged  £22B ($30B)  for AI and quantum infrastructure, while Google’s parent Alphabet will invest  £5B ($6B) , underscoring confidence in the UK’s role as a digital hub. The funds target data centers, research, and advanced computing projects. The agreement aligns with the broader  US-UK technology pact  signed last week, covering semiconductors, telecoms, and AI safety standards. Market ...

AI boom = ⚠️ Power strain. In  Denton, Texas  (pop. 150,000), one AI data center by  CoreWeave  is expected to  double the city’s electricity needs. This isn’t just a tech story—it’s a  grid challenge . Local utilities are warning:  “This is lucrative… but risky.” But here’s what’s different: Unlike many mega-projects,  CoreWeave isn’t getting local tax breaks . Denton stands to gain  hundreds of millions  in new tax revenue, based on exclusive projections. Big power. Big money. Big questions. Can Texas handle the AI energy surge?

Malaysia’s stock market, once driven by optimism around artificial intelligence (AI), is now facing a sharp reversal. The rally that pushed the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI higher last year has lost steam as global trade risks and U.S. policy shifts weigh heavily on investor sentiment. US Tariffs and AI Export Curbs Dampen Outlook The decline comes amid rising concerns over the U.S. government's plans to  restrict AI chip exports , a move that could jeopardize Malaysia’s fast-growing data centre industry. Adding to the pressure, U.S. President Donald Trump has  threatened to impose a 25% tariff on Malaysian goods , further darkening the market’s prospects. As a result, Malaysia's benchmark  KLCI index has fallen 7% year-to-date , ranking it as one of Southeast Asia’s worst performers, just ahead of Thailand. Analyst Downgrades and Outflows Major research houses have scaled back their forecasts: UOB Kay Hian  has cut its KLCI year-end target to  1,620 , down from an ...

Data centers surge, grid supply stalls, and energy prices skyrocket in the PJM region Key Takeaways: PJM Interconnection , the  largest US power grid  covering  13 states  and  67 million customers , is  under immense strain  due to the explosive power demands of  AI data centers  and  chatbots . Electricity bills in some parts of PJM’s territory are expected to rise  over 20% this summer . PJM’s  capacity auction prices have soared 800% , raising concerns among state leaders and prompting political threats to  exit the grid . Power Crunch Reality: PJM projects  32 GW of new demand  by 2030, mostly from  data centers , but new supply is  not being built fast enough . Over the past decade, PJM lost a  net 5.6 GW in capacity  while demand keeps rising. Connection delays, project opposition, and regulatory backlog have  slowed renewable and traditional plant construction .  Fallout and ...

Top picks: Gamuda, Sunway Construction, Binastra RHB Investment Bank has reaffirmed its  OVERWEIGHT  rating on Malaysia’s  construction sector , maintaining confidence despite potential US export restrictions on  AI chips  to Malaysia and Thailand. What's happening? The US is reportedly drafting a rule to curb AI chip shipments over concerns they may be rerouted to China. But the proposal: Is not finalized , and Includes a grace period  for US firms and allies to continue shipments without a licence. Why RHB remains positive: Strong pipeline  of  data centre (DC) projects  continues. Ongoing investment from global tech giants like  Google, AWS, Microsoft , and  Oracle  in Malaysia’s DC infrastructure. Possible exemptions for “ friendly nations ” and validated firms could soften any export ban impact. Key DC hotspots : Elmina Business Park Phase 2 Eco Business Park V, Puncak Alam Port Dickson (500–700MW capacity) Nilai (US-backe...

What Happened:  Nvidia insiders sold over  $1 billion  of stock this past year, with  $500 million  sold just this month as shares hit record highs, driven by the AI boom. Key Details: CEO Jensen Huang sold shares for the first time since September, despite Nvidia’s rally of  60%  from April lows. Insider sales spiked even as analysts projected Nvidia entering a  “Golden Wave”  of AI-driven growth. Historically, large insider sales near record highs have sometimes preceded  short-term pullbacks , but do not necessarily signal long-term weakness. What to Watch: Nvidia’s next earnings report: Watch for any slowdown in  data center demand , a key driver of recent growth. AI sector sentiment: Is the hype continuing, or are investors rotating into other tech sectors? Insider selling patterns vs. institutional buying: Divergence here can often hint at  near-term volatility . Money Master Take:  While Nvidia’s fundamentals remain...

Malaysia has emerged as a leading data centre hub in Southeast Asia, driven by favorable policies, substantial investments, and a focus on digital transformation. Key Growth Drivers Regional Demand and Spillover: The SEA-5 markets (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam) recorded a 70% CAGR in data centre supply (2018-2023). Malaysia benefited from Singapore's temporary moratorium on data centres (2019-2022), attracting spillover investments. Significant Investments: Over RM99 billion (~US$21.7 billion) in data centre investments announced in the past two years, with RM149 billion in the pipeline. Major players like AWS , Google , and Microsoft have committed billions to cloud regions and data centre projects in Malaysia. Strategic Government Initiatives: MIDA and MDEC: Established the Digital Investment Office to streamline investments. Programs like MyGovCloud and Malaysia Digital enhance the digital ecosystem. Discussions around a Johor-Singapore Special Ec...

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has introduced innovations to make its data centres more energy-efficient, addressing the increasing power demands of server farms. Key updates include: Advanced cooling : Liquid cooling systems to support powerful chips, like Nvidia’s, that traditional fans cannot handle. Sustainable energy : Renewable diesel for backup generators. Optimised design : Server rack layouts to minimise unused power. Amazon plans to invest $75 billion this year in data centre infrastructure, including servers, cooling systems, and its in-house AI chips, which will be unveiled to customers this week at its reInvent conference. Some of these features are already in place, with others to follow in future data centres.

Malaysia is positioned to secure the lion’s share of data centre development among ASEAN’s emerging markets, according to Maybank's ASEAN Data Centre report released on Tuesday. The country's competitive construction costs , average electricity tariffs , and a supportive regulatory environment make it an ideal location for new data centres. Citing research from Maybank IBG and DCByte , Malaysia has the highest number of data centres in various stages of development in ASEAN, with 159 under construction , 766 committed , and 2,016 in the early stages . Globally, Malaysia ranks second in early-stage data centre projects within the Asia-Pacific , trailing only India. Maybank dismissed concerns about oversupply in the sector, stating that the development of these projects would align with demand. Average data centre capacities in cities like Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta remain relatively modest at 9MW per facility , compared to larger announcements of 100MW to GWs . Local gove...

Data centres have emerged as crucial infrastructure for Malaysia’s digital economy, offering significant spinoff effects that extend beyond their immediate function. According to Minister of Digital Gobind Singh Deo, the growth of data centres is essential for enabling artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital technologies that are increasingly central to both government and corporate strategies. Key Takeaways: Critical Infrastructure for AI and Digital Solutions : Gobind emphasizes that many of today’s solutions, particularly those based on AI, require substantial data centre capacity. As Malaysia aims to advance its digital economy, having the necessary infrastructure to support these technologies is crucial. This infrastructure is not just about supporting existing industries but also about enabling the emergence of new tech-driven industries. Significant Economic Impact : Malaysia recorded a 23% year-on-year increase in approved investments to RM329.5 billion in 2023, with a s...

Malaysia is experiencing a significant boom in the data centre industry, driven by increasing digital transformation initiatives, favorable government policies, and strategic investments from both local and international players. This article provides an overview of the factors contributing to the growth of the data centre sector in Malaysia. Key Drivers of the Data Centre Boom Digital Transformation : The rapid digitalization across various sectors in Malaysia, including finance, healthcare, and e-commerce, is driving the demand for robust data storage and processing capabilities. Businesses are increasingly adopting cloud services, big data analytics, and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, necessitating more data centre infrastructure. Government Support : The Malaysian government has introduced several policies and incentives to attract data centre investments, including tax incentives, streamlined regulatory processes, and infrastructure support. Initiatives such as the Malaysi...

马来西亚铁钢工业联合会（Misif）预测，经过连续三年的增长，2024年国内钢铁消费量将进一步增长，预计达到8.3百万吨至9百万吨之间。数据中心建设和半导体产业扩张是这一增长的主要驱动力。 钢铁消费增长的驱动力 随着技术公司如谷歌计划投资20亿美元在马来西亚建立首个谷歌数据中心和谷歌云区域，数据中心建设将显著推动钢铁需求增长。Misif会长拿督林鸿泰表示，这一趋势将继续支持今年的钢铁消费增长。 钢铁行业的现状与数据 2023年，国内粗钢产量超过了疫情前的水平，达到750万吨，比2022年增长4.5%。铁钢进口量在2023年增长了17.3%，达到730万吨，主要来源国包括中国、台湾、越南、日本和韩国。同时，铁钢出口量也在2023年增长了14.5%，达到820万吨。 行业挑战与应对策略 尽管如此，当地钢铁行业仍面临产能过剩问题，导致2023年平均产能利用率仅为39.1%，远低于世界平均水平75.7%。中国将其过剩产能出口到东盟国家，加剧了这一问题。Misif请求政府协助对抗不公平的进口，并希望政府提供激励措施，鼓励钢厂提升价值链。 投资机会 数据中心和芯片产业的扩张为钢铁行业投资者带来了显著机会。随着这些高需求领域的快速发展，钢铁相关股票和企业可能会在当前市场环境中表现优异。投资者应关注与这些行业密切相关的公司，以抓住市场增长的潜力。 结论 马来西亚钢铁行业在面临增长前景的同时也面临挑战。投资者应密切关注数据中心和芯片产业的扩张趋势，理解政府政策变化，并将这些因素纳入其投资决策中，以确保其投资组合能够从市场趋势中受益。