Malaysia’s real estate sector continues to attract international tech investments as Tropicana Corporation offloads another strategic land parcel for data center development. The company’s subsidiary, Tropicana Firstwide, has agreed to sell 38 acres in Gelang Patah to Chinese firm ZData’s Malaysian arm for RM240 million, marking the second such transaction this year following August’s sale to NTT’s subsidiary.
The Johor-based land deal reflects growing demand for data infrastructure in southern Malaysia, strategically positioned near Singapore’s constrained market. ZData, a Beijing-based cloud infrastructure provider, plans to develop the site into a data center as part of its Southeast Asian expansion. The transaction is expected to conclude by late 2025, with proceeds helping Tropicana reduce debt and fund future developments.
Tropicana originally acquired the Johor landbank in 2019 for RM74.28 million, demonstrating significant appreciation in value. The property giant maintains extensive holdings across Malaysia, including over 720 acres in Johor alone. This latest deal follows the company’s pattern of capitalizing on Johor’s emergence as a data center hub, benefiting from spillover demand as Singapore limits new developments.
Johor’s data center market has attracted major global players including Equinix, AirTrunk, and Keppel, alongside Chinese operators like Bridge DC. ZData brings ambitious regional plans, though details remain scarce about its Southeast Asian projects beyond Malaysia. The company currently operates across eight Chinese cities with 1GW capacity, targeting expansion to 3GW. This transaction underscores how Malaysia’s strategic location and available land continue drawing international tech investment despite global economic uncertainties.