Johor’s data centre surge unsettles Iskandar Puteri residents, some consider selling homes

Johor's rapid expansion of data centres has raised concerns among residents in Iskandar Puteri over noise, environmental conditions and potential impacts on property values. Some homeowners are considering selling their properties due to construction and nearby infrastructure. Finance manager Lee Shi Qing put her RM1 million terraced house up for sale after a data centre began construction.

Property consultant Samuel Tan warned that transmission towers could discourage potential buyers, even without scientific evidence of health risks. Johor recorded the highest unsold homes and serviced apartments nationwide in the first half of 2026. The state has 65 data centre projects underway and an operational IT capacity of 1,110MW, making it the region's third-largest data centre market.

Residents have reported construction dust, persistent humming noises, and higher temperatures, which they believe are linked to data centre developments. Kindergarten enrollment in Nusantara Prima and Nusa Bayu has dropped due to surrounding environment concerns. Some residents worry their homes may be harder to sell due to proximity to data centres, despite rising property values.