TL:DR – GPP Pusat Data – KPKT provides guidance to planning officers when an application is made for a Data Center. It’s main objective is to provide a shorter path trough the OSC 3.0 online planning system in Use in Malaysia.
Creating a Data Center in Malaysia is not simple, at all. Contrary to popular believes and the media and there is a lot of work involved. Apart form planning the actual Data Center and how information flows within the Data Center there is the far more complex task of obtaining planning permission.
The GPP Pusat Data – KPKT document provides general guidelines to assist you with but it has some flaws. Firstly, it is not written by industry specialists so you will not find any useful information on the internals of the Data Center. The audience for this document is planning officers and other interested parties involved with the delivery of infrastructure services. It’s main objective is to help you navigate the complex pathways inside OSC 3.0, The online Planning system, in Malaysia. This system was created in 2007 and the interface is still as it was on day one. There is nothing simple about this system. However, it is a known quantity and is used for every single planning application so there are expertise around that can help. As with all Government Documents it is only available in Bahasa Malayu. If you are not fluent in Bahasa Malayu then you will need assistance every step of the way. We have translated this document and will add it to this post section by section and discuss where appropriate. To start with we have added the infographics made available at this URL: –> https://www.planmalaysia.gov.my/index.php/announcements/view/73
Looks so simple. Here is part one of the document.
DATA CENTER DESIGN GUIDELINES
Announcements
These guidelines have been presented and approved at:
PLANMalaysia Planning and Development Committee Meeting No.6/2023 on 23 November 2023;
Ministry of Housing and Local Government Planning and Development Committee Meeting No.1/2024 on April 24, 2024;
Cabinet Meeting on 8 October 2024
These planning guidelines should also be read together with the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1976 (Act 172) as well as relevant existing legal provisions.
References should also be made to other planning guidelines that have been prepared by the Department of Town and Country Planning (PLANMalaysia) and adopted at the state level and local planning authorities.
The Data Center Design Guidelines have been approved by various authorities, including the PLANMalaysia Planning and Development Committee and the Cabinet. These guidelines should be used in conjunction with the Town and Country Planning Act, 1976 (Act 172) and other relevant legal provisions. Additionally, reference should be made to other planning guidelines issued by PLANMalaysia and adopted at the state and local levels.
The Index of the document:
Contents
INTRODUCTION 10 1.1 Purpose 10 1.2 Objective 10 1.3 Background 10 1.4 Current Issues in Data Center Development 12 1.5 Legislative Provisions and National Policies 12 1.6 Investment Process for Data Centers Development 13 1.7 Scope of Data Center Design Guidelines 14 2 DATA CENTER DEFINITION AND CATEGORIES 16 2.1 Definition 16 2.2 Data Center Categories 17 2.3 Types of Data Centers 17 2.4 General Characteristics of Data Centers 18 2.5 Industry Players DATA CENTERS 20 2.6 Classification of DATA CENTERS 21 2.7 Components in the DATA CENTERS Building 22 3 PLANNING PRINCIPLES 25 4 GENERAL GUIDELINES 26 4.1 Location of DATA CENTERS 27 i. The placement of a DATA CENTERS should take into account the accessibility factor and its proximity to the main infrastructure and utility facilities that support DATA CENTERS; 27 ii. The placement should be outside of disaster risk areas such as flood areas, landslides and other disasters. 27 iii. Placement must be outside environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) such as coastlines, water catchment areas, groundwater sources, hilly areas and others; 27 iv. Laying is not recommended in peatland areas; 27 v. The placement is not within the critical national target radius as determined by the Office of the Chief National or State Security Officer (CGSO); 27 vi. The placement of a DATA CENTER should be far away from high-risk industrial activities such as the chemical, petroleum and other industries; and 27 vii. Not close to major highways, railway lines and within the height control radius set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM). 27 4.2 Electricity Supply Requirements 27 4.3 Water Supply Requirements 28 4.4 Telecommunication Infrastructure Needs 29 5 SPECIFIC GUIDELINES 30 5.1 Expansion of Data Centers in New Areas 30 5.2 Data Centre Development in Existing Building 34 6 APPLICATION PROCEDURE 36 6.1 Method 1: Application for Planning Permission (KM) Medium Category 3.0 Plus (99 Days) 37 6.2 Method 2 : OSC 3.0 Plus Initiative Application Industrial Green Lane (IGL) (29 Day) 39 6.3 Method 3 : OSC 3.0 Plus Prerequisite (PR) Initiative Application (22 Days) 41 6.4 Method 4: Application for Temporary Permit Plan and Small Construction Permit (33 days) 43 7 FORMULATION 44
WORD ABBREVIATIONS
4IR The Fourth Industrial Revolution ATM Automated Teller Machine CAAM Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia / Pihak Berkuasa Penerbangan Awam CCC Certificate of Completion and Compliance CCTV closed-circuit television CGSO Malaysia Office of the Chief Government Security Officer CRAH Computer Room Air Conditioning System CSP Cloud Service Provider DC Data Centers Providers DEIA Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment Study DOSH Department of Occupational Safety and Health DSP Digital Service Providers EIA Environmental Impact Assesment EPF Employees Provident Fund EPG Emergency Power Generator ESAH Electricity Supply Handbook GP Garis Panduan IAAS Infrastructure-as-a-Service ICT Information and Communication Technologies IDA Infocomm Development Authority IRB Inland Revenue Board IT Information Technology JAS Jabatan Alam Sekitar / Department of Environment JTK Jabatan Tenaga Kerja / Department of Labor KDNK Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar / Gross Domestic Product KGT Kelas Penggunaan Tanah / Soil Use Class kp kaki persegi / square feet KM Kebenaran Merancang / Planning Permission KV Kilovolt m meter Mbps Megabits per second MCMC Malaysian Communications And Multimedia Commission / SKMM Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia / Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission MDEC Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation MIDA Malaysian Investment Development Authority MDF Main Distribution Frame Room MMR Meet Me Room mp meter persegi / square meters MVA megawatt OP.Co Operation Company PAAS Perform-as-a-Service PBN Pihak Berkuasa Negeri / State Authorities PBT Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan / Local Authorities PDU Power Distribution Unit PKS Perusahaan kecil dan sederhana / Small and simple companies PMU Pencawang Masuk Utama / Main Entrance Substation Prop.Co Property Company PTG Pejabat Tanah Dan Galian / Land and Mines Office PUE Power Ussage Effectiveness RT Rancangan Tempatan / Local Plans RTD Rancangan Tempatan Daerah / District Local Plan SAAS Software-as-a-Service SOCSO Social Security Organisation SPAH Sistem Pengurusan Air Hujan / Rainwater Management System SPAN Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara / National Water Services Commission SUKT Setiausaha Kerajaan Tempatan / Local Government Secretary TIA Traffic impact assessment TLK Tempat Letak Kenderaan / Parking TNB Tenaga Nasional Berhad UBBL Uniform Building By-Law UPS Uninterruptible Power Supply
INTRODUCTION 1.1 Purpose 1.2 Objective 1.3 Background 1.4 Current Issues in DATA Development CENTERS 1.5 Legal Provisions and Country Policy 1.6 Investment Process for Development 1.7 DATA CENTERS 1.8 Skop DESIGN GUIDELINES DATA CENTERS
These guidelines are provided as a uniform guide and reference to the State Authorities (PBN), Local Authorities (PBT) and agencies involved to coordinate and monitor the development planning of Data Centers.
Identify issues during Data Center planning and development trends;
Identify the definition of Data Centers in terms of concept, characteristics, types, classifications, components and scale of development;
Provide general guidelines for Data Centers planning in terms of location, infrastructure and utility requirements, as well as specific guidelines for new Data Centers developments and developments in existing buildings;
Provide a mechanism for the implementation and control of Data Center sites.
The Data Center Design Guidelines aim to provide a standardized framework for the planning and development of Data Centers. The guidelines aim to address key issues in Data Center planning, define Data Centers, and provide specific guidelines for their location, infrastructure, and utility requirements. Additionally, the guidelines outline a mechanism for the implementation and control of Data Center sites.
The development of Data Centers as digital infrastructure has become a major requirement in the increasing adoption of technology and digitalization because of the development of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The geographical location advantage in the Asia Pacific region has made Malaysia a top choice for Data Centers investments. This is supported by renewable energy factors, land area, a rapidly growing digital economy ecosystem and seamless connectivity to Asia through existing submarine cable networks and landing stations.
A solution to strike a balance between reaping the economic benefits of Data Center development while ensuring that it does not take up too much space and resources is urgently needed. This is because globally, Malaysia has expressed its commitment at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in Glasgow, Scotland in 2021 to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050.
To facilitate this process, PLANMalaysia as an agency that provides advisory services on urban planning affairs as well as coordination to local planning authorities in processing development plans including planning permits, building plans, road and drain plans as well as earthworks plans. Therefore, a specific planning guideline for Data Centers development needs to be prepared.
The Honorable Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz announced that Malaysia has received RM114.7 billion in investments involving Data Centers for the period 2021 to 2023. Meanwhile, the projected Data Centers market in Malaysia is expected to grow at an average annual growth rate of 16 per cent or RM9.36 billion from 2021 to 2026 (Source: MITI/ MIDA, Dec 2023). Based on the Global Data Centers Outlook 2023 (JLL Research), Malaysia is one of the key markets in the global Data Centers market. The focus of Data Centers in Malaysia is in Cyberjaya, Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru.
At the national level, there are seven (7) main references related to supporting the development of Data Centers, namely the:
Twelfth Malaysia Plan (12MP)
National Physical Plan 4 (NPP4)
New Industrial Master Plan 2030
National Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Policy
Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint (MyDigital)
National Digital Network (JENDELA)
Malaysia Smart City Framework.
This section provides background information on the increasing importance of Data Centers in the digital age, particularly in Malaysia. It highlights Malaysia’s strategic location, commitment to sustainability, and the significant investments made in Data Center development. The section also references key national policies and plans that support the growth of Data Centers in the country.
To support the development of Data Centers in the country, comprehensive and detailed Data Centers site planning guidelines need to be prepared so that the basic aspects and requirements of planning can be applied and implemented in a more uniform and effective manner at the state and Local Authority (PBT) levels.
Based on the stakeholder engagement session, several issues during the planning and development of the Data Centers were identified as follows:
Choosing the right location for the development of a Data Center is the biggest challenge as this development involves the use of vast land as well as abundant and consistent energy and water resources.
Local and State Authorities need a clear planning guideline for the purpose of identifying suitable sites and regulating Data Centers development. Until now, the development of Data Centers has not been taken into account in the planning of land use zones and land use classes of development plans.
Unplanned development of Data Centers will have an impact on the use of resources in an unoptimal manner and high electricity consumption will also contribute to carbon dioxide emissions.
The design of a Data Centers building that is oversized, windowless and landscaping can affect the local aesthetic value as it will be operating for an extended period of time.
This section highlights the challenges and issues associated with Data Center development in Malaysia. These include the difficulty in selecting suitable locations, the lack of clear planning guidelines, the potential for resource overuse and environmental impact, and the potential negative impact on local aesthetics.
The preparation of these planning guidelines is in line with the provisions of the relevant existing Acts, Policies and Guidelines as follows:
Table 1.1 : List of Laws
Bil.
Legal
a)
National Land Code (Act 828)
b)
Town and Country Planning Act, 1976 (Act 172)
c)
Roads, Drains and Buildings Act, 1974 (Act 133)
d)
Local Government Act, 1976 (Act 171)
e)
Uniform Building By-Laws, 1984
Table 1.2 : List of National Policies
Bil.
Policies and Guidelines
a)
12th Malaysia Plan
b)
4th National Physical Plan (NPP 4)
c)
New Industrial Master Plan 2030
d)
The country’s Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) policy
e)
Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint
f)
National Digital Network (JENDELA)
g)
Malaysia’s Smart City Framework
h)
ANSI/TIA-942-B – Telecommunications Infrastructure Standard for Data Center
i)
ANSI/BICSI 002-2019 – Data Center Design and Implementation Best Practices
This section outlines the legal and policy framework that supports the development of Data Centers in Malaysia. It lists relevant laws such as the National Land Code, Town and Country Planning Act, and Roads, Drains and Buildings Act, as well as national policies like the 12th Malaysia Plan and the National Digital Network (JENDELA). Additionally, it references international standards like ANSI/TIA-942-B and ANSI/BICSI 002-2019.
Land Use Zoning Compliance (Local Plan)Data Center GPP ComplianceOSC 3.0 – Development Plan Approval and Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC)Business License
Jabatan Tenaga Kerja, Employment Provident Fund (EPF), SOCSO, State Revenue Agency (IRB)
Utility Companies and the Department of Safety and Health (DOSH)
Certification from the Utility Company (telecommunications, electricity, water and gas)DOSH – machine registration
This section outlines the investment process for Data Center development in Malaysia. It highlights the key agencies involved, including the Companies Commission of Malaysia, the Digital Investment Office, the Department of Environment, State Governments/Local Authorities, and utility companies. The process involves various stages, such as company registration, environmental impact assessment, land use zoning compliance, and obtaining necessary licenses and certifications.
This planning guideline covers aspects of Data Centers site placement that exceeds one (1) MVA and does not cover Data Centers activities and operations.
These planning guidelines cover the following key aspects:
Figure 1.2 : Data Center Design Guidelines
DATA CENTERS EXCEEDING 1 MVA
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Data Center Locations
Electricity Requirements
Water Supply Requirements
Telecommunication Infrastructure Needs
SPECIFIC GUIDELINES
Expansion of Data Centers in New Areas
Data Center Development in Existing Building
Involves aspects of planning control such as land categories and conditions, permitted land use zones, Data Centers categories, plot ratios, plinth area, height, building displacement, open space preparation requirements, road reserve requirements, utility reserve requirements, parking requirements, Buffer zone and design.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
OSC 3.0 plus medium category planning permission application (99 days)
OSC 3.0 Plus Industrial Green Lane (IGL) Initiative Application (29 days)*
OSC 3.0 Plus Prerequisite (PR) Initiative Application (22 days)*; and
Application for temporary permit plan and minor construction permit (33 days).
This section outlines the scope of the Data Center Design Guidelines. It clarifies that the guidelines apply to Data Centers exceeding 1 MVA and do not cover operational aspects. The key areas covered by the guidelines include Data Center location, electricity and water supply requirements, telecommunication infrastructure needs, expansion in new areas, development in existing buildings, and planning control aspects. Additionally, the section provides information on the application procedure for Data Center development, including the relevant OSC 3.0 processes.
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