D01.01.09 MDCO Dialogue Instrument with Majlis Perbandaran Kluang (MPK) on Planning Considerations for Low Frequency Noise
Dialogue Series: D01 — Low Frequency Noise During Data Centre Planning Approval
Dialogue Reference: D01.01 — Local Planning Authorities
Record: D01.01.09 — Majlis Perbandaran Kluang (MPK)
Date Issued: 24 July 2026
Status: Awaiting Response
Reference Research:
→A09.04 Data Centre Low Frequency Noise in Planning Approval by Local Councils
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
No. Ruj.: MDI-2026-01-09-MPK
Melalui Emel: mpk@johor.gov.my24 Julai 2026
YBrs. Encik Mohd Fahmy bin Yahya
Yang DiPertua
Majlis Perbandaran Kluang
Persiaran Utama Bandar Primer,
86000 Kluang,
Johor Darul Ta’zim.YBrs. Tuan YDP,
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.
2. Sebagai Pihak Berkuasa Perancang Tempatan (PBPT) bagi kawasan Kluang iaitu sebahagian daripada Negeri Johor yang kini merupakan hab pembangunan pusat data utama di Malaysia, Majlis Perbandaran Kluang (MPK) memainkan peranan penting dalam merancang serta mengintegrasikan pembangunan infrastruktur digital berskala besar dengan masyarakat setempat. Sehubungan dengan itu, pihak Malaysia Data Centre Observatory (MDCO) ingin memohon pandangan serta mendapatkan penjelasan mengenai amalan perancangan semasa pihak Majlis berkaitan penilaian bunyi frekuensi rendah (Low Frequency Noise, LFN)—iaitu suatu aspek akustik yang kini menjadi fokus kajian berterusan MDCO.
3. Untuk makluman YBrs. Tuan YDP, MDCO merupakan sebuah inisiatif penyelidikan bebas yang bertujuan meningkatkan pemahaman awam dan industri mengenai pembangunan pusat data di Malaysia menerusi analisis teknikal berasaskan bukti (evidence-based analysis). Maklumat lanjut mengenai fungsi dan peranan MDCO boleh dilayari menerusi laman sesawang: malaysiadatacentreobservatory.com.
4. Penyelidikan antarabangsa menunjukkan bahawa pendedahan berpanjangan kepada LFN (bunyi persekitaran di bawah kira-kira 200 Hz) berpotensi menjejaskan keselesaan serta ketenteraman komuniti, khususnya di lokasi pusat data yang berhampiran kawasan kediaman. Sehubungan dengan itu, MDCO telah menjalankan kajian terperinci terhadap Akta Perancangan Bandar dan Desa 1976 (Akta 172), dasar-dasar perancangan serta garis panduan berkaitan. Bersama-sama ini disertakan Laporan Kajian Terhadap Akta 172 di Lampiran A untuk rujukan pihak Majlis. Justeru, pihak MDCO amat menghargai sekiranya pihak Majlis dapat meneliti pemahaman semasa MDCO dan memberikan penjelasan berhubung perkara-perkara berikut:
4.1 Peruntukan Perundangan di bawah Akta 172
o 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.
o Permohonan Penjelasan / Pandangan:
- Adakah pihak Majlis berpandangan bahawa Akta 172 menyediakan kuasa perundangan yang mencukupi untuk mempertimbangkan potensi kesan LFN semasa proses Kebenaran Merancang (KM), sekiranya wujud keperluan?
- Jika sedemikian, dalam keadaan atau senario bagaimanakah pertimbangan sedemikian lazimnya timbul atau terpakai?
4.2 Amalan Semasa Penilaian Perancangan
o Pemahaman Semasa MDCO: Berdasarkan perundangan perancangan dan garis panduan sedia ada untuk rujukan awam, pihak MDCO tidak menemui sebarang pandangan, keperluan, atau garis panduan berkenaan LFN yang diterbitkan secara umum dalam proses KM bagi pembangunan pusat data.
o Permohonan Penjelasan / Pandangan:
1. Adakah potensi gangguan LFN pada masa ini dipertimbangkan oleh pihak Majlis dalam penilaian perancangan bagi pembangunan pusat data berskala besar?
2. Adakah kaedah penilaian kesan LFN tersebut berbeza mengikut skala pembangunan, jarak ke kawasan kediaman (zon penimbal), atau keadaan setempat tapak?
3. Adakah terdapat sebarang prosedur perancangan dalaman atau garis panduan teknikal khusus yang diguna pakai oleh pihak Majlis pada masa ini dalam membuat penilaian berkaitan LFN?
4.3 Kaedah Penilaian Teknikal
o Pemahaman Semasa MDCO: Penilaian bunyi alam sekitar secara konvensional lazimnya berasaskan tahap bunyi keseluruhan mengikut pemberat A (A-weighted sound levels, dBA). Walau bagaimanapun, garis panduan antarabangsa menunjukkan bahawa dalam senario yang melibatkan peralatan mekanikal berskala besar dengan kebarangkalian tinggi menghasilkan LFN yang ketara, kaedah penilaian terperinci seperti analisis jalur oktaf (octave-band analysis) mungkin diperlukan.
o Permohonan Penjelasan / Pandangan:
1. Adakah pihak Majlis mewajibkan kajian akustik khusus atau penilaian/pemodelan ramalan bunyi (predictive noise assessment) bagi pembangunan pusat data berskala besar?
2. Adakah pihak Majlis mempertimbangkan maklumat terperinci berkaitan LFN serta spesifikasi atau data akustik bagi peralatan mekanikal utama (seperti cooling tower, chiller, atau standby generator)?
3. Adakah penilaian ini tertumpu terutamanya kepada laporan Penilaian Kesan Alam Sekeliling (EIA) atau ulasan agensi teknikal luaran?
4.4 Syarat-Syarat Kebenaran Merancang (KM)
o 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 mengawal selia risiko isu alam sekitar.
o Permohonan Penjelasan / Pandangan:
1. Berdasarkan rekod atau amalan terdahulu, adakah pihak Majlis pernah mempertimbangkan atau mengenakan syarat-syarat Kebenaran Merancang (KM) bagi mengawal kesan LFN (seperti penetapan lokasi atau orientasi peralatan mekanikal, langkah kawalan akustik terperinci, atau pemantauan pascapengoperasian)?
2. Sekiranya sedemikian, apakah faktor atau situasi latar belakang yang dijadikan asas oleh pihak Majlis dalam membuat keputusan untuk mengenakan syarat-syarat berkaitan LFN tersebut?
4.5 Hala Tuju Amalan Perancangan Masa Depan
o Pemahaman Semasa MDCO: Industri pusat data di Malaysia berkembang pesat seiring dengan perkembangan pemahaman saintifik berkaitan LFN sepanjang dekad yang lalu. Pihak MDCO mengambil maklum bahawa amalan perancangan akan terus berkembang sejajar dengan pengalaman industri dan perkembangan garis panduan teknikal.
o Permohonan Penjelasan / Pandangan:
1. Adakah tatacara perancangan sedia ada dianggap mencukupi, atau adakah garis panduan teknikal khusus berkaitan LFN dapat memberi manfaat kepada PBPT pada masa depan?
2. Adakah pihak Majlis sedia maklum mengenai sebarang inisiatif atau kajian yang sedang dijalankan berkaitan penilaian LFN atau akustik alam sekitar bagi pembangunan infrastruktur digital berskala besar?
5. Pihak MDCO berhasrat untuk memperoleh maklum balas ini bagi memastikan penerbitan kajian MDCO mencerminkan amalan dan pelaksanaan semasa di peringkat PBPT. Sebagai sebahagian daripada komitmen ketelusan, surat Instrumen Dialog MDCO (MDCO Dialogue Instrument, MDI) ini dan maklum balas yang diterima akan didokumentasikan dalam siri laporan kajian MDCO. Bagi membolehkan pandangan pihak Majlis disertakan dalam siri laporan ini, pihak MDCO amat mengalu-alukan sebarang ulasan rasmi sekiranya dapat dikemukakan dalam tempoh 14 hari bekerja dari tarikh surat ini, sebelum dapatan kajian tersebut dimuktamadkan untuk penerbitan. Sekiranya maklum balas diterima selepas tempoh tersebut, pihak MDCO tetap akan mengambil kira pandangan berkenaan dalam kemas kini laporan yang akan datang.
6. Kerjasama dan keprihatinan YBrs. Tuan YDP serta para pegawai di jabatan berkaitan dalam memberikan maklum balas berhubung perkara ini amat dihargai dan didahului dengan ucapan setinggi-tinggi terima kasih.
Sekian.
Yang benar,
(IR. DR. KOH SIONG LEE)
Pengarah Penyelidikan
Malaysia Data Centre Observatory (MDCO)
English Translation of the letter:
Ref. No.: MDI-2026-01-09-MPK
By Email: mpk@johor.gov.my24 July 2026
YBrs. Encik Mohd Fahmy bin Yahya
Yang DiPertua
Majlis Perbandaran Kluang
Persiaran Utama Bandar Primer,
86000 Kluang,
Johor Darul Ta’zim.YBrs. Tuan YDP,
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.
2. As the Local Planning Authority (LPA) for Kluang which forms part of Johor, a state that has emerged as one of Malaysia’s key locations for data centre development, Majlis Perbandaran Kluang (MPK) plays an important role in planning and integrating large-scale digital infrastructure developments with surrounding communities. In this regard, Malaysia Data Centre Observatory (MDCO) respectfully seeks the Council’s views and clarification regarding the Council’s current planning practices relating to the assessment of low frequency noise (LFN), which is an acoustic consideration currently forming part of MDCO’s ongoing research.
3. For the kind information of YBrs. Tuan YDP, MDCO is an independent research initiative established to enhance public and industry understanding of data centre development in Malaysia through evidence-based technical analysis. Further information regarding MDCO’s functions and role is available through our website: malaysiadatacentreobservatory.com.
4. International research indicates that prolonged exposure to LFN (environmental sound generally below approximately 200 Hz) may affect community comfort and amenity, particularly in locations where data centres are situated near residential areas. In this regard, MDCO has conducted a detailed review of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172), planning policies and relevant guidelines. The Review Report on Act 172 is enclosed as Appendix A for the Council’s reference. Accordingly, MDCO would greatly appreciate if the Council could review MDCO’s current understanding and provide clarification on the following matters:
4.1 Legal Provisions under Act 172
o 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 where relevant.
o Request for Clarification / Views:
- Does the Council consider that Act 172 provides sufficient legal authority to consider potential LFN impacts during the Planning Permission (KM) process, where such consideration is necessary?
- If so, under what circumstances or scenarios would such considerations normally arise or apply?
4.2 Current Planning Assessment Practice
o MDCO’s Current Understanding: Based on publicly available planning legislation and existing guidance, MDCO has not identified any publicly available consideration, requirement or guideline specifically relating to LFN in the KM process for data centre developments.
o Request for Clarification / Views:
1. Are potential LFN impacts currently considered by the Council during planning assessment for large-scale data centre developments?
2. Does the approach to assessing LFN impacts vary according to development scale, distance from residential areas (buffer zones), or site-specific conditions?
3. Are there any internal planning procedures or specific technical guidelines currently adopted by the Council when conducting assessments relating to LFN?
4.3 Technical Assessment Methods
o MDCO’s Current Understanding: Conventional environmental noise assessments are generally based on overall A-weighted sound levels (dBA). However, international guidelines indicate that in scenarios involving large-scale mechanical equipment with potential significant LFN generation, more detailed assessment methods such as octave-band analysis may be appropriate.
o Request for Clarification / Views:
1. Does the Council require specific acoustic studies or predictive noise assessments for large-scale data centre developments?
2. Does the Council consider detailed information relating to LFN, including acoustic specifications or data for major mechanical equipment (such as cooling towers, chillers or standby generators)?
3. Is such assessment primarily based on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports or comments/advice from external technical agencies?
4.4 Conditions of Planning Permission (KM)
o 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 manage potential environmental risks.
o Request for Clarification / Views:
1. Based on previous records or practices, has the Council ever considered or imposed Planning Permission (KM) conditions to manage LFN impacts (such as the location or orientation of mechanical equipment, detailed acoustic control measures, or post-operational monitoring)?
2. If so, what factors or circumstances would normally form the basis for the Council’s consideration in imposing such LFN-related conditions?
4.5 Future Direction of Planning Practice
o MDCO’s Current Understanding: Malaysia’s data centre industry is expanding rapidly alongside advances in scientific understanding relating to LFN over the past decade. MDCO recognises that planning practices may continue to evolve in line with industry experience and the development of technical guidance.
o Request for Clarification / Views:
1. Are existing planning procedures considered adequate, or would specific technical guidance relating to LFN provide additional benefits to Local Planning Authorities in addressing such considerations in the future?
2. Is the Council aware of any ongoing initiatives or studies relating to LFN assessment or environmental acoustic assessment for large-scale digital infrastructure developments?
5. MDCO seeks to obtain this feedback to ensure that MDCO’s published research accurately reflects current practices and implementation at the Local Planning Authority level. As part of MDCO’s commitment to transparency, this MDCO Dialogue Instrument (MDI) letter and any responses received will be documented as part of the MDCO research series. To enable the Council’s views to be incorporated into the research series, MDCO would greatly welcome any official comments that may be provided within 14 working 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.
6. The cooperation and kind consideration of YBrs. Tuan YDP and the relevant officers 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.