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Residents in Johor, Malaysia, protested against the construction of a data center by Zdata Technologies, citing dust pollution and potential water supply issues. The project, located close to residential areas in Gelang Patah, has drawn concerns from nearly 1,000 residents.

Johor has seen rapid growth in data center investments, totaling about 164.45 billion ringgit since 2022, driven by major tech companies. Zdata began construction in early 2025, but local authorities issued a stop work order due to poor construction standards. Residents have reported deteriorating air quality and expressed fears over water demands since Johor halted approvals for high-water-use data centers.