SoftBank Group Corp., Grab Holdings Limited and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) signed a Framework Agreement in Kuching to explore the development of an artificial intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure platform in Sarawak, Malaysia.

Tri-Party Agreement Signed in Kuching

The agreement was signed by Masayoshi Son, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SoftBank Group Corp.; Anthony Tan, Group Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Grab; and Dato Janin Girie, Group Chief Executive Officer of PETROS.

Also present at the signing were the Right Honourable Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg; Datuk Haji Ibrahim Bin Haji Baki, Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak (Sarawak Energy and PETROS); Tan Sri Datuk Amar (Dr) Hamid Bin Bugo, PETROS Chairman; and Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili, PETROS Board Member.

Scope of the Collaboration

Under the Framework Agreement, the three parties will collaborate to develop a roadmap for the phased development of the AI and digital infrastructure platform.

The collaboration will also explore opportunities across the wider AI value chain, including AI compute and services, advanced technologies, robotics, local workforce and community development.

According to the announcement, the tri-party partnership brings together complementary strengths across technology, digital platforms, investment and infrastructure to support Sarawak's ambition to develop a high-value, technology-driven economy.

The partnership is also intended to contribute to the expansion of Malaysia's digital infrastructure and connectivity, including the Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA) initiative.

What Each Party Brings

SoftBank will contribute its global technology and AI ecosystem, with expertise spanning AI infrastructure, advanced computing, semiconductors and physical AI.

The SoftBank Group comprises SoftBank Group Corp. (TSE: 9984), an investment holding company holding stakes in AI, smart robotics, IoT, telecommunications, internet services and clean energy technology providers, as well as a majority stake in Arm, alongside the SoftBank Vision Funds.

Grab will bring its established Southeast Asian digital ecosystem, applied AI capabilities and extensive regional customer and partner networks. Grab is a superapp operating across the deliveries, mobility and digital financial services sectors, serving over 900 cities in eight Southeast Asian countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. In Malaysia, Grab operates supermarkets under Jaya Grocer and Everrise.

PETROS will contribute its experience in harnessing Sarawak's energy resources to drive economic development through the Sarawak Gas Roadmap and in its role as Master Developer of the Kuching Low-Carbon Hub (KLCH).

Its contribution includes developing energy supply solutions and enabling infrastructure, facilitating local engagement, and strengthening local participation and value creation across Sarawak's supply chain.

Alignment With National and State Agendas

The collaboration reflects the parties' shared view of Sarawak's potential to become a destination for AI infrastructure and high-value technology industries, anchoring Malaysia's ambition to become a regional hub for AI and digital infrastructure. The agreement supports the state's aspiration to achieve high-income status by 2030 under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.

The partnership is also intended to contribute to the national digital economy and AI agenda under the Ekonomi MADANI framework and the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan, by attracting strategic investment into Malaysia, developing Malaysian talent and capabilities, and catalysing technology-driven economic activities across Sarawak, Malaysia and the wider region.

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