SoftBank is partnering with Singaporean tech company Grab and a Malaysian oil and gas firm for a potential AI data center project in Borneo.

SoftBank Group, Grab Holdings, and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) signed a framework agreement this month to explore the development of an artificial intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure platform in Sarawak, Malaysia.

Full details of any planned data center development weren’t shared.

Under the agreement, the three parties will “collaborate to develop a roadmap” for the phased development of the platform, which will “support Sarawak’s ambition to develop a high-value, technology-driven economy, while contributing to the expansion of Malaysia’s digital infrastructure and connectivity.”

The companies said 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.

Petros is a state-owned oil and gas firm established and wholly owned by the Government of Sarawak.

Founded as MyTeksi in 2012, Nasdaq-listed Grab offers a so-called ‘super-app’ across Asia offering ride-hailing, food delivery, and digital payment services on mobile devices. The company is a major AWS customer.

Sarawak is a Malaysian state located on the island of Borneo. Not known as a major data center hub, several planned projects have been announced there in recent years.

Poseidon Technologies is planning a facility on the island, announced in October 2023. Aizo Group and Netrunner announced plans for a data center in Sarawak in October 2024.FutureData is targeting a 500MW project there.