D01.03.02 MDCO Dialogue Instrument with YB Tuan Liew Chin Tong on Planning Considerations for Low Frequency Noise

ByMalaysia Data Centre Observatory

Dialogue Series: D01 — Low Frequency Noise During Data Centre Planning Approval
Dialogue Reference: D01.03 — Political and Public Representatives
Record: D01.03.02 — YB Tuan Liew Chin Tong
Date Issued: 14 August 2026
Status: Awaiting Response

Reference Research:
→A09.01 — Why Low-Frequency Noise Becomes a Community Conflict
→A09.02 Estimating Low-Frequency Noise from a Typical Data Centre
→A09.03 Low Frequency Noise Effects: What Research Shows
→A09.04 Data Centre Low Frequency Noise in Planning Approval by Local Councils
→A09.07 Community Concerns on Data Centre Development in Malaysia and Lessons Learned
→D01.01 Low Frequency Noise During Data Centre Planning Approval

Dialogue Purpose

This Dialogue Record documents MDCO’s formal engagement with the dialogue partner to seek clarification and views on current planning considerations for low frequency noise (LFN) associated with data centre developments.

MDCO’s Current Understanding:

  1. Sections 22(2), 22(3) and 22(5) of Act 172 appear to provide Local Planning Authorities with broad discretion to consider matters necessary for proper planning and impose appropriate planning conditions, including where relevant environmental acoustic considerations such as LFN may arise.
  2. Publicly available legislation and guidance reviewed by MDCO did not identify any specific published requirement addressing LFN assessment for data centre developments during the planning approval process.
  3. Conventional environmental noise assessment generally relies on overall A-weighted sound levels (dBA), while international acoustic practices indicate that frequency-based analysis may provide additional information where significant low-frequency sources exist.
  4. Act 172 appears to provide Local Planning Authorities with flexibility to incorporate appropriate planning conditions where necessary to manage potential environmental impacts associated with approved developments.
  5. The rapid growth of data centre developments and advances in acoustic research may require continued consideration of how planning practices and technical guidance address potential LFN-related issues.

Additional Findings from Dialogue Responses

No additional information was available from the dialogue process as of the publication date.

Dialogue Instrument Submitted

Original letter in Malay language:

Ruj. Kami:       MDI-2026-03-02-YBLCT
Melalui Emel: supportlct@liewchintong.com, liewchintong@mof.gov.my

14 Ogos 2026

YB Tuan Liew Chin Tong
Ahli Parlimen Malaysia (P162 Iskandar Puteri)
Pejabat Ahli Parlimen Iskandar Puteri
89, Jalan Mutiara 1/9, Taman Mutiara Mas
81300 Skudai
Johor Darul Ta’zim

YB Tuan,

PER: PERMOHONAN PENJELASAN DAN PANDANGAN BERHUBUNG PERTIMBANGAN PERANCANGAN BAGI BUNYI FREKUENSI RENDAH (LOW FREQUENCY NOISE) DALAM PEMBANGUNAN PUSAT DATA

Dengan segala hormatnya perkara di atas adalah dirujuk.

  1. Kami, Malaysia Data Centre Observatory (MDCO) ingin memohon pandangan serta mendapatkan penjelasan berhubung dengan beberapa soalan penting berkaitan dengan pembangunan pusat data. Usaha ini selaras dengan prinsip teras MDCO yang mendukung kesaksamaan capaian maklumat (equal access to information) bagi semua pihak berkepentingan, termasuk melalui usaha mendapatkan, mendokumentasikan dan menyebarluaskan pandangan serta maklumat yang relevan secara seimbang dan telus, demi menyokong pembangunan industri pusat data di Malaysia yang mampan, harmoni, dan berintegriti.
  2. Sebagai latar belakang, MDCO mengambil maklum tentang isu dan kebimbangan komuniti setempat yang berkaitan dengan pembangunan pusat data di kawasan Iskandar Puteri baru-baru ini (Lampiran 1). MDCO juga mengambil maklum bahawa YB Tuan sebelum ini telah menyuarakan pandangan bahawa perkembangan industri pusat data perlu disertai dengan kawal selia yang sewajarnya, pengurusan sumber air dan elektrik secara berhemat dan berkesan, serta pembangunan yang mampan. YB Tuan turut menekankan kepentingan memastikan pembangunan sektor ini membawa manfaat yang lebih luas kepada rakyat dan mengekalkan sokongan awam terhadap industri tersebut. Dalam konteks ini, MDCO berpandangan bahawa pandangan YB Tuan adalah amat relevan dalam meneliti aspek perancangan dan impak komuniti yang berkaitan dengan pembangunan pusat data, khususnya di Iskandar Puteri serta di peringkat nasional.
  3. Mengambil kira perkembangan pembangunan pusat data serta peningkatan jumlah fasiliti yang bakal beroperasi sepenuhnya pada masa hadapan, MDCO kini menjalankan kajian terperinci tentang kualiti persekitaran akustik, khususnya Bunyi Frekuensi Rendah (Low Frequency Noise, LFN). Kajian dan kes antarabangsa menunjukkan bahawa LFN yang dikaitkan dengan pengoperasian pusat data telah menimbulkan gangguan kepada komuniti dan, dalam sesetengah kes, membawa kepada pertikaian undang-undang di Amerika Syarikat (Lampiran 2). MDCO juga mengambil maklum bahawa bunyi dan getaran frekuensi rendah yang dihasilkan oleh kelengkapan mekanikal pusat data berpotensi tersebar pada jarak yang agak jauh dan menjejaskan keselesaan komuniti setempat (Lampiran 3 dan 4).
  4. Berdasarkan pemahaman semasa MDCO hasil kajian ini, peruntukan sedia ada di bawah Akta Perancangan Bandar dan Desa 1976 (Akta 172) memberikan ruang pertimbangan dan budi bicara kepada Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan (PBT) selaku Pihak Berkuasa Perancang Tempatan (PBPT) untuk menangani aspek alam sekitar yang berkaitan (Lampiran 5). Sehubungan dengan itu, MDCO telah memulakan siri dialog dengan Datuk Bandar dan Yang Dipertua PBT di Negeri Johor (Lampiran 6) dan pemaju pusat data. Walau bagaimanapun, berdasarkan semakan maklumat awam dan penerokaan awal melalui siri dialog tersebut, MDCO belum menemukan maklumat terbuka yang menunjukkan bahawa penilaian LFN dipertimbangkan secara khusus pada peringkat Kebenaran Merancang (KM).
  5. Sehubungan dengan itu, MDCO amat menghargai sekiranya YB Tuan, dalam kapasiti sebagai Ahli Parlimen bagi kawasan P162 Iskandar Puteri, dapat meneliti pemahaman semasa MDCO serta mengemukakan pandangan berhubung dengan soalan-soalan berikut:

6.1 Peruntukan Perundangan di bawah Akta 172

  • Pemahaman Semasa MDCO: Hasil kajian MDCO menunjukkan bahawa subseksyen 22(2), 22(3) dan 22(5) Akta 172 memberikan kuasa budi bicara yang luas kepada Pihak Berkuasa Perancang Tempatan (PBPT) untuk mempertimbangkan perkara-perkara yang perlu bagi tujuan perancangan yang sewajarnya, serta mengenakan syarat-syarat Kebenaran Merancang (KM). Walaupun Akta 172 tidak menyebut secara khusus berkenaan LFN, peruntukan sedia ada dilihat cukup terangkum untuk membolehkan pertimbangan akustik alam sekitar diambil kira.
  • Permohonan Penjelasan / Pandangan:
    • Adakah YB Tuan berpandangan bahawa Akta 172 menyediakan kuasa perundangan yang mencukupi untuk membolehkan pihak PBT/PBPT mempertimbangkan potensi kesan LFN dalam proses Kebenaran Merancang (KM)?
    • Pada pandangan YB Tuan, dalam keadaan atau senario bagaimanakah potensi kesan LFN wajar dipertimbangkan oleh pihak PBT/PBPT dalam proses perancangan dan kelulusan pembangunan pusat data?

6.2 Amalan Semasa Penilaian Perancangan

  • Pemahaman Semasa MDCO: Berdasarkan perundangan perancangan dan garis panduan sedia ada untuk rujukan awam, MDCO tidak menemukan maklumat terbuka yang menunjukkan bahawa keperluan atau garis panduan khusus berkaitan LFN telah ditetapkan dalam proses KM bagi pembangunan pusat data.
  • Permohonan Penjelasan / Pandangan:
    • Adakah isu potensi gangguan LFN pernah diutarakan kepada YB Tuan atau dipertimbangkan dalam perbincangan peringkat dasar bagi pembangunan pusat data berskala besar?
    • Pada pandangan YB Tuan, adakah kaedah penilaian perancangan perlu berbeza mengikut skala pembangunan, jarak zon penimbal ke kawasan kediaman, atau keadaan setempat?
    • Adakah YB Tuan melihat keperluan untuk Kerajaan Negeri atau PBT mewujudkan garis panduan teknikal khusus berkaitan LFN bagi mengurangkan risiko konflik antara pembangunan industri dengan kawasan kediaman pada masa hadapan?

6.3 Kaedah Penilaian Teknikal

  • Pemahaman Semasa MDCO: Penilaian bunyi alam sekitar secara konvensional lazimnya berasaskan tahap bunyi keseluruhan mengikut pemberat A (A-weighted sound levels, dBA). Walau bagaimanapun, dalam senario yang melibatkan peralatan mekanikal berskala besar yang berpotensi menghasilkan LFN yang ketara, kaedah penilaian terperinci seperti analisis jalur oktaf (octave-band analysis) mungkin diperlukan.
  • Permohonan Penjelasan / Pandangan:
    • Adakah YB Tuan menyokong cadangan supaya kajian akustik khusus atau penilaian ramalan bunyi berkaitan LFN dipertimbangkan bagi permohonan pembangunan pusat data berskala besar yang berhampiran dengan kawasan kediaman?
    • Adakah YB Tuan berpandangan bahawa maklumat akustik yang relevan bagi peralatan mekanikal utama (cooling tower, chiller, standby generator) wajar didedahkan untuk semakan awam, tertakluk kepada keperluan melindungi maklumat komersial yang sensitif, demi meningkatkan ketelusan?
    • Pada pandangan YB Tuan, sekiranya isu LFN dikenal pasti sebagai risiko yang relevan, adakah penilaian akustik dalam laporan Penilaian Kesan Alam Sekitar (EIA) sedia ada memadai, atau wajar dilengkapi dengan mekanisme penilaian dan semakan yang lebih khusus?

6.4 Syarat-Syarat Kebenaran Merancang (KM)

  • Pemahaman Semasa MDCO: Akta 172 memberi kuasa kepada Pihak Berkuasa Perancang Tempatan (PBPT) untuk menilai dan mempertimbangkan permohonan kebenaran merancang dengan mengenakan syarat-syarat tambahan yang dianggap wajar, dengan demikian memberikan ruang fleksibiliti untuk menangani risiko dan aspek alam sekitar yang berkaitan.
  • Permohonan Penjelasan / Pandangan:
    • Pada pandangan YB Tuan, adakah PBT/PBPT perlu mempertimbangkan syarat-syarat Kebenaran Merancang (KM) tertentu bagi mengawal potensi kesan LFN, seperti penetapan zon penimbal, kawalan akustik terperinci, atau pemantauan pascapengoperasian?
    • Pada pandangan YB Tuan, apakah faktor utama yang wajar dipertimbangkan oleh pihak PBT/PBPT dalam menetapkan syarat KM bagi pembangunan pusat data?

6.5 Hala Tuju Amalan Perancangan Masa Hadapan

  • Pemahaman Semasa MDCO: Industri pusat data di Malaysia berkembang pesat, manakala pemahaman saintifik dan amalan penilaian berkaitan LFN turut terus berkembang. MDCO mengambil maklum bahawa amalan perancangan akan terus berkembang sejajar dengan pengalaman industri dan perkembangan garis panduan teknikal.
  • Permohonan Penjelasan / Pandangan:
    • Adakah YB Tuan berpandangan bahawa kerangka kawal selia dan tatacara perancangan sedia ada di peringkat negeri dan daerah sudah memadai, atau terdapat keperluan untuk penambahbaikan termasuk pewujudan garis panduan teknikal khusus berkaitan LFN bagi melindungi komuniti?
    • Adakah YB Tuan sedia maklum tentang sebarang inisiatif, jawatankuasa, atau kajian di peringkat Kerajaan Negeri Johor, Dewan Negeri Johor, Kerajaan Persekutuan atau Parlimen Malaysia yang sedang meneliti isu LFN dan impak alam sekitar berkaitan dengan pembangunan pusat data?
  1. MDCO berhasrat untuk mendapatkan pandangan YB Tuan bagi memastikan penerbitan laporan kajian MDCO mengambil kira pandangan wakil rakyat serta perspektif komuniti setempat secara saksama. Instrumen Dialog MDCO (MDCO Dialogue Instrument, MDI) ini serta maklum balas yang diterima akan didokumentasikan secara telus dalam siri laporan kajian MDCO. Bagi membolehkan pandangan YB Tuan dipertimbangkan dalam siri laporan ini, MDCO amat mengalu-alukan sebarang ulasan rasmi dalam tempoh 14 hari dari tarikh surat ini, sebelum dapatan kajian dimuktamadkan untuk penerbitan. Sekiranya maklum balas diterima selepas tempoh tersebut, MDCO tetap akan mengambil kira pandangan berkenaan dalam kemas kini laporan pada masa hadapan.
  2. Kerjasama dan keprihatinan YB Tuan serta pihak yang berkaitan dalam memberikan maklum balas berhubung dengan perkara ini amat dihargai dan didahului ucapan setinggi-tinggi terima kasih.

Sekian, terima kasih.

Yang benar,

(IR. DR. KOH SIONG LEE)
Pengarah Penyelidikan
Malaysia Data Centre Observatory (MDCO)

English Translation of the letter:

Our Ref.:          MDI-2026-03-02-YBLCT
By Email:         supportlct@liewchintong.com, liewchintong@mof.gov.my

14 August 2026

YB Tuan Liew Chin Tong
Ahli Parlimen Malaysia (P162 Iskandar Puteri)
Pejabat Ahli Parlimen Iskandar Puteri
89, Jalan Mutiara 1/9, Taman Mutiara Mas
81300 Skudai
Johor Darul Ta’zim

YB Tuan,

RE: REQUEST FOR CLARIFICATION AND VIEWS ON PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS FOR LOW FREQUENCY NOISE IN DATA CENTRE DEVELOPMENTS

With due respect, the above matter is referred.

  1. Malaysia Data Centre Observatory (MDCO) respectfully seeks YB Tuan’s views and clarification regarding several important questions relating to data centre development. This effort is aligned with MDCO’s core principle of supporting equal access to information for all stakeholders, including through efforts to obtain, document and disseminate relevant views and information in a balanced and transparent manner, in support of a sustainable, harmonious and responsible data centre industry in Malaysia.
  2. As background, MDCO takes note of the issues and concerns raised by the local community in relation to recent data centre developments in the Iskandar Puteri area (Appendix 1). MDCO also notes that YB Tuan has previously expressed the view that the growth of the data centre industry should be accompanied by appropriate regulation, prudent and effective management of water and electricity resources, and sustainable development. YB Tuan has also emphasised the importance of ensuring that the development of this sector delivers broader benefits to the people while maintaining public support for the industry. In this context, MDCO considers YB Tuan’s views highly relevant in examining the planning considerations and community impacts associated with data centre development, particularly in Iskandar Puteri as well as at the national level.
  3. Taking into consideration the data centres that are expected to become fully operational in the future, MDCO is currently conducting a detailed study on acoustic environmental quality, particularly Low Frequency Noise (LFN). International research and cases indicate that LFN associated with data centre operations has caused disturbance to communities and, in some cases, led to legal disputes in the United States (Appendix 2). MDCO also notes that low-frequency noise and vibration generated by mechanical equipment at data centres have the potential to propagate over relatively long distances and affect the amenity and comfort of local communities (Appendices 3 and 4).
  4. Based on MDCO’s current understanding arising from this study, existing provisions under the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172) provide Local Authorities (PBT), acting as Local Planning Authorities (PBPT), with scope for consideration and discretion in addressing relevant environmental aspects (Appendix 5). In this regard, MDCO has commenced a series of dialogues with Datuk Bandar/Yang Dipertua of PBTs in Johor (Appendix 6) and data centre developers. However, based on a review of publicly available information and preliminary exploration through these dialogue sessions, MDCO has not identified publicly available information indicating that LFN assessment is specifically considered at the Planning Permission (KM) stage.
  5. In this regard, MDCO would greatly appreciate if YB Tuan, in your capacity as an elected representative and Member of Parliament for P162 Iskandar Puteri, could review MDCO’s current understanding and provide your views on the following matters:

6.1 Legal Provisions under Act 172

  • MDCO’s Current Understanding: MDCO’s review indicates that subsections 22(2), 22(3) and 22(5) of Act 172 provide Local Planning Authorities with broad discretionary powers to consider matters necessary for proper planning purposes and to impose conditions on Planning Permission (Kebenaran Merancang, KM). Although Act 172 does not specifically refer to LFN, the existing provisions appear sufficiently broad to allow environmental acoustic considerations to be taken into account.
  • Request for Clarification / Views:
    • Does YB Tuan consider that Act 172 provides sufficient legal authority to enable the PBT/PBPT to consider potential LFN impacts during the Planning Permission (KM) process?
    • In YB Tuan’s view, under what circumstances or scenarios should potential LFN impacts be considered by the PBT/PBPT in the planning and approval process for data centre developments?

6.2 Current Planning Assessment Practice

  • MDCO’s Current Understanding: Based on publicly available planning legislation and existing guidance, MDCO has not identified publicly available information indicating that any specific requirements or guidelines relating to LFN have been established for the Planning Permission (KM) process for data centre developments.
  • Request for Clarification / Views:
    • Have potential LFN impacts ever been raised with YB Tuan or considered in policy-level discussions concerning large-scale data centre developments?
    • In YB Tuan’s view, should the approach to assessing LFN impacts vary according to development scale, distance from residential areas (buffer zones), or site-specific conditions?
    • Does YB Tuan see a need for the State Government or PBT to establish specific technical guidelines relating to LFN to reduce the risk of conflict between industrial developments and residential areas in the future?

6.3 Technical Assessment Methods

  • MDCO’s Current Understanding: Conventional environmental noise assessments generally rely on overall A-weighted sound levels (A-weighted sound levels, dBA). However, in scenarios involving large-scale mechanical equipment that may generate significant LFN, more detailed assessment methods such as octave-band analysis (octave-band analysis) may be required.
  • Request for Clarification / Views:
    • Does YB Tuan support the proposal that specific acoustic studies or predictive noise assessments relating to LFN be considered for large-scale data centre development applications located near residential areas?
    • Does YB Tuan consider that relevant acoustic information relating to major mechanical equipment (such as cooling towers, chillers or standby generators) should be disclosed for public review, subject to the need to protect commercially sensitive information, in order to enhance transparency?
    • In YB Tuan’s view, if LFN is identified as a relevant risk, are the acoustic assessments contained in existing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports adequate, or should they be supplemented by more specific assessment and review mechanisms?

6.4 Conditions of Planning Permission (KM)

  • MDCO’s Current Understanding: Act 172 empowers Local Planning Authorities to assess and consider Planning Permission applications by imposing additional conditions considered appropriate, thereby providing flexibility to regulate potential environmental risks.
  • Request for Clarification / Views:
    • In YB Tuan’s view, should the PBT/PBPT consider specific Planning Permission (KM) conditions to manage potential LFN impacts, such as the establishment of buffer zones, detailed acoustic control measures, or post-operational monitoring?
    • In YB Tuan’s view, what are the key factors that should be considered by the PBT/PBPT in imposing KM conditions for data centre developments?

6.5 Future Direction of Planning Practice

  • MDCO’s Current Understanding: The data centre industry in Malaysia is expanding rapidly, while scientific understanding and assessment practices relating to LFN continue to evolve. MDCO notes that planning practices will likewise continue to evolve in line with industry experience and the development of technical guidelines.
  • Request for Clarification / Views:
    • Does YB Tuan consider that the existing regulatory framework and planning procedures at the state and district levels are adequate, or is there a need for improvements, including the establishment of specific technical guidelines relating to LFN to protect communities?
    • Is YB Tuan aware of any initiatives, committees, or studies at the level of the Johor State Government, the Johor State Legislative Assembly, the Federal Government, or the Parliament of Malaysia that are currently examining LFN issues and environmental impacts associated with data centre developments?
  1. MDCO seeks to obtain YB Tuan’s views to ensure that MDCO’s published research takes into account, in a balanced manner, the perspectives of elected representatives as well as the interests of the local community. This MDCO Dialogue Instrument (MDI) and any responses received will be documented transparently as part of the MDCO research series. To enable YB Tuan’s views to be incorporated into this research series, MDCO would greatly welcome any official comments that may be provided within 14 days from the date of this letter, before the findings are finalised for publication. Any feedback received after this period will nevertheless be considered by MDCO for incorporation into future updates of the research.
  2. The cooperation and kind consideration of YB Tuan and the relevant parties in providing feedback on this matter are greatly appreciated, and we wish to express our sincere thanks in advance.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

(IR. DR. KOH SIONG LEE)

Director of Research
Malaysia Data Centre Observatory (MDCO)

Feedback and Responses Received

None as of the publication date.

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