Maybank leads RM2.5 billion green data centre financing in Johor

Maybank is underwriting RM2.5 billion, the largest portion of a major syndicated Islamic financing deal aimed at supporting DayOne Data Centers' green data centre developments in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone.

The financing package consists of an onshore Ringgit Islamic tranche totalling RM7.5 billion and a separate, equivalent USD-denominated offshore conventional tranche. In total, the five-year, dual-currency green financing is valued at RM15 billion. The funds are set to be utilised by WG Data Hub, a wholly owned subsidiary of DayOne, for the development of data centres certified at Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standard or higher.

LEED is a globally recognised green building certification system, signifying that the upcoming facilities will meet high benchmarks for sustainability and environmental responsibility. DayOne Data Centers, with its headquarters in Singapore, is involved in digital infrastructure development across both established and emerging markets, including Singapore, Johor in Malaysia, Batam in Indonesia, Greater Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Tokyo.

Regional focus

The anchor campuses for DayOne's new data centres will be situated in Nusajaya and Kempas Tech Parks, both within the boundaries of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone. These campuses are expected to take a significant share of DayOne's planned capacity across Southeast Asia and Japan.

Maybank, the largest bank in Malaysia and a notable financial institution within Southeast Asia, is playing a key role in the transaction by underwriting one third of the Islamic financing component. The other participants in the syndicated transaction include major regional and international banks, with the signing attended by senior representatives from CIMB, Crédit Agricole, DBS Bank, OCBC, Standard Chartered Bank, and UOB, alongside DayOne and Maybank executives.

Sustainable financing commitment

This landmark transaction represents Maybank's largest Islamic financing commitment to the data centre sector. It highlights our unique position and global leadership in structuring and promoting Islamic finance. As the only homegrown ASEAN bank with a presence in all 10 key markets, Maybank's regional footprint and insights give us a distinct edge in supporting clients entering the JS-SEZ. This is backed by establishing a dedicated JS-SEZ Desk, and commitment to position the zone as a vibrant regional hub.

This statement was made by Dato' Khairussaleh Ramli, President and Group CEO of Maybank, emphasising the bank's strategy to use its network and local expertise to expand support for developments within the zone. Maybank has established a dedicated JS-SEZ Desk to facilitate client entry and operations in the area.

DayOne's approach in Johor is seen as a core element of its regional strategy, which includes presence and active projects in other key markets throughout ASEAN and Greater Asia. The company's planned data centres are aimed at achieving LEED Gold certification, supporting wider sustainability and environmental goals that are increasingly integral to digital infrastructure developments.

Track record in sustainable finance

Maybank reported that between 2021 and the first quarter of 2025, it mobilised RM125.46 billion (USD $30 billion) in sustainable finance, surpassing its previously set 2025 target of RM80 billion (USD $19 billion). The bank has a dedicated Sustainable Finance team certified by the International Capital Market Association (ICMA) and claims the distinction of being the first in Malaysia with such credentials.

The bank introduced a Sustainable Product Framework and a Transition Finance Framework, the latter described as a first in the ASEAN region. These frameworks are designed to guide product and investment strategies in line with sustainability objectives and to support a just transition within the regional economy.

Maybank has additionally been recognised for its sustainability performance, being the only Malaysian company listed on TIME's World's Best Companies for two consecutive years and cited as the highest ranked Southeast Asian bank in sustainability metrics.

The syndicated financing spearheaded by Maybank is expected to facilitate the creation of data centre infrastructure that not only meets technological demand but also aligns with environmental certification standards. It comes amid continued growth in digital services and the increasing importance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria among investors and developers across the Asia Pacific region.