Assalamualaikum and good day, Ladies and Gentlemen,
To my distinguished guests from Northern Gateway:
- Dato’ Paduka Ammar Shaikh Mahmood Naim,
- Mr. Syaiful Hafiz Moamat Mastam,
- Mr. Muhammad Khairul Fuadi Hamdan.
To our dear friends from AREA Group:
- Dato’ Stewart LaBrooy, Executive Chairman of AREA Management Sdn Bhd.
To our respected guests from MDEC:
- Datuk Ts Fadzli Abdul Wahit,
- Mr. Wan Murdani bin Wan Mohammad.
To our honoured guests from MIDA:
- Ms. Zuaida Abdullah, Executive Director, Services Development,
- Ms. Noorzita Mohamad Nor, Director of Business Services and Regional Operations Division.
To our esteemed guest from Treasure Capital Asia (TCA):
- Mr. Stanley Chin, Founder and Group CEO.
Ladies and gentlemen, I stand before you today filled with excitement and pride. Today’s signing ceremony for the AREA Data Centre Campus marks a major milestone — not only for AREA and Northern Gateway — but for Delapan itself as a future economic powerhouse.
Let me start by thanking each of you for your unwavering commitment to making this vision a reality. Dato’ Stewart, to AREA, and the entire team, thank you for placing your trust in Delapan. We have always believed that Delapan has the potential to be a game-changer, and with partners like you, we are one step closer to that vision.
[The Importance of Economic “Plan B”] Now, I want to touch on something close to my heart — how we look at the future of our economy. As humans, we’re wired to plan for worst-case scenarios, to build safety nets. Just as we save pocket money as kids and pay for insurance as adults, we need the same kind of forward-thinking when it comes to economic planning.
For too long, we have seen Malaysia’s economic activity concentrated in the Klang Valley. We know the risks that come with putting all our eggs in one basket. That’s why
Delapan is so important. It represents Malaysia’s Plan B — our response to the changing needs of our economy and the global marketplace.
[Delapan as a Key Investment Hub] AREA Group’s decision to develop its Data Centre Campus here in Delapan shows the confidence that investors are starting to place in this region. And this is not just about a single project — this is about the long-term potential that Delapan has to offer.
As Malaysia looks to transition to a high-income economy, Delapan will play a critical role in driving sustainable growth. It’s positioned at a unique geographic point, leveraging its proximity to Southern Thailand while still being deeply integrated with the ASEAN region.
ASEAN, as we all know, is a rising star on the global stage. In 2023, ASEAN attracted USD 226.3 billion in foreign direct investment — the second-largest destination in the world after the United States. This remarkable feat, despite a global decline in FDI, reflects the strength of the region’s economic prospects and its deep integration into global value chains.
Delapan is part of this success story. The region offers the right blend of resources, connectivity, and readiness, making it an attractive site for long-term, high-value investments like the one we are here to celebrate today.
[Expanding on the 3Rs] Now, let me come back to something we often talk about in border-zone development — the 3Rs: Resources, Readiness, and Relationships. These are the pillars on which Delapan’s success is being built.
- Resources: The backbone of any successful development lies in its resources, and Delapan is rich in exactly what matters. We offer ample water supply, abundant energy resources, and large tracts of land ready for development. Delapan is also supported by strong digital infrastructure, making it an ideal site for advanced industrial projects.
For AREA’s Data Centre Campus, Delapan provides reliable utilities and seamless connectivity. Fibre routes link the region to key subsea cable landing stations in Southern Thailand, including Satun and Songkhla, and terrestrial fibre pathways crossing from Delapan into the Indochina region further enhance its position as a critical player in Southeast Asia’s digital and industrial growth.
Furthermore, Delapan sits at the gateway to an economic region encompassing Thailand and the greater Indochina market, a region with a population of over 250 million and a combined GDP exceeding USD 1.4 trillion. This places Delapan not just as a logistical hub, but as the economic mouthpiece to one of the most dynamic growth regions in the world.
- Readiness: Cross-border infrastructure is the key to any border development. Delapan is already connected to Southern Thailand via major roads and two border checkpoints. Our location within the ASEAN region gives us the added advantage of being at the heart of a major trade corridor. As we continue to enhance these links, particularly with ongoing developments in our road networks, Delapan will become even more attractive for investors like AREA.
- Relationships: Finally, the relationship between Kedah and Thailand is a critical factor in Delapan’s success. Unlike other border developments that may feel a bit one-sided, the Kedah-Thailand partnership is truly symbiotic. We rely on each other to grow, and both sides stand to benefit. The trade flow between Malaysia and Thailand reached RM 120 billion in 2023, with Malaysia being Thailand’s largest trading partner in ASEAN. This shows the deep ties we already share, and this will only grow stronger with developments like AREA’s Data Centre Campus.
[Northern Gateway’s Commitment] At Northern Gateway, we are deeply committed to nurturing this ecosystem. Delapan is not just another project for us — it is a vision for the future. We are working hard to ensure that the infrastructure here continues to improve, that we offer competitive incentives to investors, and that we maintain the quality of service that makes Delapan stand out.
Our goal is to create an environment where projects like this one can thrive—not just for the next five or ten years but for decades to come. We are not just focused on short-term gains; we are committed to sustainable long-term growth, ensuring that Delapan plays a central role in Malaysia’s transition to a high-income economy.
[Looking Ahead] Ladies and gentlemen, today’s signing ceremony marks just the beginning. With AREA’s involvement, we are setting a strong foundation for the future. We are confident that Delapan will continue to attract top-tier investments that bring both economic stability and growth.
We have heard a lot about other regions being heavily invested in, but I stand here today to tell you that Delapan is ready — we are ready to stand tall alongside those regions, offering something unique, something powerful. Delapan isn’t just a backup plan; it’s a strategy in itself.
For too long, the focus has been on a few select regions, but it’s time for Delapan to shine. We may not have the “heavy-bottom” approach of concentrating everything in one state, but that’s what makes Delapan different. We are balanced, we are prepared, and we are ready to deliver.
[Closing Remarks] Ladies and gentlemen, it’s clear to see why today is such a proud moment for all of us. With AREA by our side and with the collective support of our
partners, we are shaping a bright future — not just for Delapan, but for Malaysia and the broader ASEAN region.
I am excited to see what lies ahead, and I know that together, we will make this a success. Thank you once again for being here today, and let’s continue this journey toward a prosperous future.
Assalamualaikum and thank you.
