Google opens Kuala Lumpur office

Search engine giant Google will soon increase investments in Southeast Asia to serve users and advertisers and to take advantage of the phenomenal growth expected in the number of Internet users.

Google's Southeast Asia managing director Julian Persaud said the investments included the opening of its Kuala Lumpur office today which was in line with Google's commitment to provide Malaysians with local products.

He said Malaysia has now reached 17 million Internet users and high growth was expected from the wireless markets as the online environment in Malaysia was growing rapidly with significant developments taking place in both broadband Internet access and e-commerce activities.

"We are pleased to establish our newest operations here where we can draw from the highest quality local talent to further help our users find the information they are looking for and help Malaysian businesses succeed," he told reporters after the opening of the Kuala Lumpur office by Deputy International
Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir today.


Google opened an office in Singapore and South Korea in 2007.

In the next few days, Persaud said, on line job-seekers in Malaysia would soon be able to surf for employment opportunities and vacancies in the sales, marketing and public relations areas via www.google.com.my/jobs.

In welcoming the opening of the local office, Mukhriz said Google's local presence was a commitment to Malaysia and proved its suitability as a regional multimedia hub.

"We hope that Google's entry will encourage more local business to go online and tap into international markets," he said.

Meanwhile, Google's country manager for Malaysia Sajith Sivanandan said Malaysia was a significant country in terms of its digital economy and tech-savvy population.

"We are excited about investing in Malaysia and through our search and display solutions, we hope to help small and large businesses grow. We also hope to reach new markets and contribute to economic growth.

"We also have a very engaged set of local users in Malaysia with whom we look forward to interact with much closely," said Sivanandan who previously led Google's online advertising business for the travel sector in Southeast Asia.

Household broadband penetration in Malaysia now stood at 55.6 per cent surpassing last year's target of 50 per cent. -- Bernama