Meeting Water Demands for the Data Centre Sector in Malaysia
Malaysia’s rise as a regional data centre hub presents significant economic opportunities, but also, environmental risks if not managed sustainably. Through a mix of forward-looking policy, technological innovation, and cross-sectoral collaboration, Malaysia can build a data-driven future that is both digitally advanced and ecologically responsible.
Date
Venue
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Forum Objectives
SEA Conference fee
SEA Conference Sponsorship Package
RM10,000
RM5,000
RM3,000
SEA Conference Sponsorship Package
RM10,000
Brand Acknowledgement as Sponsor for SEA 2025
Promotions and Media Releases
RM5,000
Brand Acknowledgement as Sponsor for SEA 2025
Promotions and Media Releases
Brand Acknowledgement as Sponsor for SEA 2025
Promotions and Media Releases
TIME
PROGRAMME
8:30 am – 9:00 am
Registration and Arrival of Delegates
9:15 am
Announcing the Arrival of the Guest of Honour:
YAB Datuk Amar Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof
Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA)
9:15 am – 9:20 am
Malaysia National Anthem – NEGARAKU
9.20 am – 9.25 am
Doa Recitation
9:25 am – 9:35 am
Welcome Speech
Ms. Karen Goi
Project Director, Derrisen Sdn Bhd
9:35 am – 9:45 am
Welcome Remarks
Mr. Mohamad Hairi bin Basri
President, The Malaysian Water Association (MWA)
9:45 am – 10:05 am
Opening Address
YAB Datuk Amar Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof
Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA)
10:05 am – 10:10 am
Ceremonial Opening
10:10 am – 10:15 am
Presentation of Token of Appreciation at SEA Conference 2025
10:15 am – 10:20 am
10:20 am – 10:45 am
VIP Tour at SEA 2025 and GATE 2025 / Morning Coffee Break
DATA CENTRES: FRAMING THE CHALLENGE“SETTING THE CONTEXT”
Moderator:
YBhg. Dato’ Hj. Ishak bin Abdul Rahman
Council Member of MWA | Former General Manager of Perak Water Board
10:50 am – 11:20 am
Ms. Ruhaizan Mohamad Ibrahim
Deputy Director, Business Services and Regional Operations Division Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)
Attracting Investment in Digital Infrastructure
Key topics: MIDA will spotlight Malaysia’s digital investment surge from 2021 to mid-2025, totalling RM335.3 billion and over 105,000 new jobs—70% from data centre projects.
Backed by MyDIGITAL and NIMP 2030, the presentation outlines support via the Digital Investment Office (DIO), talent programs, and incentives like DESAC. It also introduces new data centre policies, including the Data Centre Task Force and sustainability targets for Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE).
Question & Answer Session
11:20 am – 11:40 am
Her Excellency Anne Vasara
Ambassador Embassy of Finland, Kuala Lumpur
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Nordic Innovation for Sustainable Data Centres: Finland's Circular Water Strategies and Lessons for Malaysia
Key topics include using seawater and passive cooling systems, like in Google’s Hamina data centre, to save energy. Reusing water and refilling underground water resources are also being explored. Governments are creating policies to encourage investment in green infrastructure. Waste heat from data centres can be reused to support local energy needs. AI is also helping improve water efficiency in powerful computing systems.
PANEL FORUM
Moderator:
Ir. Syed Mohamad Adnan Alhabshi
Commission Member of Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara (SPAN)”
11:40 am – 12:40 pm
Panelists:
1. Mr. Hj. Anuar Abdul Ghani
Chief Executive Officer, Ranhill SAD Sdn Bhd SAJ Sdn Bhd
2. Mr. Azuan Ahmad Zahdi
Chief Corporate Officer, Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd
Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd
3. MSc. Ha Thanh Hang
Vice-Chairwoman, Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association (VWSA)
4. Dr. Ir. Hj. Mohmad Asari Daud
Vice President & Board Member, International Water Association (IWA)
“Regional Perspectives: How ASEAN Utilities are Responding to Data Centre Water Demands”
Key Topics:
- Capacity planning strategies that utilities have implemented
- Public-private partnership models that worked (and didn’t work)
- Infrastructure financing and cost recovery mechanism.
- Technological solutions utilities have deployed
- Cross-border collaboration opportunities
12:45 pm – 2:00 pm
Networking Lunch
SESSION 1
“SETTING THE CONTEXT”
Dr. Ir. Hj. Mohmad Asari Daud
Vice President & Board Member of International Water Association (IWA)
2:00 pm – 2:20 pm
Presentation 1:
Mr. Eric Hoa
Coordinator for Climate, Biodiversity and Pollution
The United Nations for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei,
United Nations Offices
“The Good Neighbour Approach: Balancing Data Centres, Communities, and the Environment”
Key Topics: Championing Socially Responsible Industrial Growth – The future of data centre and digital infrastructure development in Malaysia – and globally – must move beyond pure economic and technological metrics to embrace a holistic, socially responsible model of growth.
2:20 pm – 2:40 pm
Presentation 2:
YBhg. Dato’ Fahri Aminudin
Resource Director, DayOne Data Centre, Johor
“Data Centre Water Consumption: Operational Best Practices and Future Solutions”
Key Topics to provide a strong platform to deliver a comprehensive and forward-looking address on Malaysia’s evolving role in the digital economy, framed through the lens of sustainable data centre operations. It not only showcases technical leadership but also reinforces Malaysia’s commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation.
2:40 pm – 3:00 pm
Presentation 3:
Ir. Azlan Abdullah
Head of Production Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd
“Scaling Water Infrastructure for Data Centre Demand in Selangor”
Key topics: Balancing digital growth with responsible water management is critical for urban hubs like Selangor. Advancing circular water use in data centres – from source to solution – is a top priority. Equitable water allocation in tech-driven economies demands robust policy frameworks and strong public-private partnerships. Cross-sector innovation and collaboration can enhance water demand forecasting and enable more efficient reuse across data centre operations.
3:00 pm – 3:10 pm
Question & Answer Session
SESSION 2
“WATER INFRASTRUCTURE & UTILITY READINESS FOR DATA CENTRE GROWTH”
Water supply capacity planning and forecasting; Industrial water pricing and sustainability models; Infrastructure investment requirements and funding mechanisms, Cross-border water management lessons and collaboration opportunities.
Moderator: Mr. Kelvin Siew
Council Member of MWA | Head of Department NRW, Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd
3:15 pm – 3:35 pm
Presentation 1:
Mr. Noorhashim bin Baron
Senior Director, Standard Technical and Compliance Section
National Water Services Commission (SPAN)
“Data Centres: Infrastructure Planning and Investment”
Key topics: As data centres expand, water infrastructure must keep pace. Upgrading treatment plants and pipelines is essential and dedicated industrial water systems can ease pressure on city networks. Data centres also require robust discharge treatment systems. Long-term planning is vital to align infrastructure with digital growth, and cost-sharing among government, water providers, and industry players is key to sustainable implementation.
3:35 pm – 3:55 pm
Presentation 2:
Ms. Zayana Zaikariah
Researcher
Institute of Strategic & International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia
“Critical Water-Related Challenges of Data Centre Growth in Malaysia”
Key topics aim to provide a deeper understanding of the economic impact of data centre growth on Malaysia’s water sector, the investment implications and infrastructure needs that come with it, and policy recommendations for sustainable water management in the digital economy.
3:55 pm -4:15 pm
Presentation 3:
Prof. Dr. Zulkifli bin Yusop
Professor, Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Water Security
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor
“Unlocking Water Footprint Potential for Enhancing Water Use Efficiency”
Key topics focus on how using the water footprint concept can help improve water efficiency, especially in water-intensive sectors like data centres. The aim is to offer practical insights for policymakers, industry leaders, and water managers to reduce water-related risks and support sustainable growth in Malaysia’s digital economy.
4:15 pm – 4:25 pm
Question & Answer Session
4:25 pm – 4:40 pm
Evening Coffee Break
SESSION 3
“ADVANCED WATER MANAGEMENT & CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGIES”
Moderator: Mr. Desmond Lim
Vice President of MWA | Managing Director of Premier Water Services Sdn Bhd
4:40 pm – 5:00 pm
Presentation 1:
Mr. Steven Lam
Head of Technology
Gradiant Malaysia
"Smart Water: Innovative Recycling and Treatment Technologies for Sustainable Data Centre Operations"
Key topics focus on sharing experiences and insights on current challenges in data centre operations, including practical ways to measure and improve water efficiency, the use of advanced cooling technologies that reduce water use, on-site water recycling solutions, and strategies to build climate-resilient operations in water-stressed areas.
5:00 pm – 5:20 pm
Presentation 2:
Mr. Muhammad Azroie bin Mohamed Yusoff
Senior Research Officer
National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM)
“From Source to Solution: Integrating Circular Economy Principles for Malaysian Water Utilities and Data Centres”
Key Topics focus on the intersection of water resource management, climate resilience, and Malaysia’s growing digital infrastructure landscape.To explore forward-looking strategies for water demand management and climate adaptation.
5:20 pm – 5:30 pm
Question & Answer Session
