BP Batam Chief Refutes 'Overflow' Label, Says S$120 Trillion Data Centre Investment is Genuine Interest

The head of the Batam Concession Agency (BP Batam), Amsakar Achmad, has corrected the notion that Batam is merely receiving spillover data centre investment from Singapore, saying the relationship is better described as a partnership for mutual growth.

Amsakar stressed that foreign companies seeking to invest in data centres in Batam are driven by genuine investor interest, not by an overflow from Singapore.

“First of all, I would like to correct those who describe Batam as Singapore’s overflow. I think this is terminology we need to set straight. Once again, what I want to say is that Batam and Singapore are growth partners, friends who grow together,” he told CNBC Indonesia on Friday (17/7/2026).

“As for the idea that whatever has become saturated there will be taken over by Batam, that is also untrue. As far as I know, for data centres, investors were interested in Batam from the very beginning,” he continued.

Amsakar explained that investors are drawn to building data centres in Batam because of the area’s adequate carrying capacity, facilities and infrastructure.

“Where land is needed, we have it. On the availability of clean water, we are ready to provide support after cooperating with the investors. On electricity, our power supply is also sufficient,” he added.

Amsakar reiterated that cooperation between Batam and Singapore is running well and continues.

“Yes, the cooperation continues, and in terms of investment typology, Singapore is the number one largest investor in Batam,” he said.

Amsakar revealed that Rp120 trillion in investment across 20 data centre projects has entered Batam, with a capacity of 500 megawatts (MW).

In addition, digital infrastructure now has substantial carrying capacity, with the installation of a cable landing station in the Nongsa area, followed by the Indonesia Cable Express, the Nongsa Changi Cable System and the Singapore Cable System.

“So to start data centre operations, several supporting infrastructure elements are already beginning to operate in Batam. This provides its own leverage and is slightly changing the configuration of Batam’s investment trend, which has been dominated by manufacturing industry, and is now gradually transforming towards data centres or the AI industry,” he explained.