GovTech Malaysia, a whole-of-government initiative led by the Digital Ministry, is working to make government services simpler and faster by connecting digital systems and redesigning services around citizens' needs.
The initiative aims to reduce duplication, improve access to public services and enable government agencies to work together more effectively.
GovTech Malaysia Change Management Office senior manager Dr Jayaprakash Murulitharan said the objective was not merely to put existing services online, but to transform how the government operates.
Read more: GovTech Malaysia aims to make govt services simpler, faster
At the recent Asia ESG Summit 2026 hosted by Star Media Group, smart city stakeholders, including representatives from the government, green rating agency and design practice, gathered for a roundtable discussion themed “Building Smart and Sustainable Cities: Governance, Investment and Urban Resilience in Malaysia”.
The participants included Housing and Local Government Ministry deputy secretary (urban sustainability) Dr Sharul Nizal Sharippuddin, Green Building Index chief executive officer Sarly Adre Sarkum, Urbanice Malaysia board member Norliza Hashim, Veritas Design Group principal Alif Arif Iskandar Abd Wahab, REI International Holding Sdn Bhd chief executive officer and co-founder Dr Daniele Gambero, Malaysia Smart Cities Alliance committee member Mohamed Shajahan Mohamed Iqbal, BSI Malaysia operations, quality and compliance – assurance director Azrul Wan Azizan.
Read more: MY: Roundtable: Building smart and sustainable cities
The government will add more services to the MyGOV Malaysia app by year’s end, as it works towards linking digital services across ministries and agencies, says Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo.
He said the move was part of the GovTech Malaysia plan to make government dealings simpler and reduce the need for people to submit the same information repeatedly to different agencies.
“GovTech Malaysia is not just about digitising existing processes. It is about redesigning the way the government delivers services,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Oct 22).
Read more: MY: More govt services on MyGOV app this year, says Gobind
Malaysia recognises 88 local authorities under its Smart City Rating, with 28 receiving new recognition in 2026 to promote sustainable urban development
A total of 88 local authorities (PBTs) nationwide have received recognition under the Malaysia Smart City Rating since its introduction in 2023.
The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), in a statement today, said the achievement reflected progress in implementing the national smart city agenda to improve service delivery efficiency, urban sustainability and public well-being through technology and innovation.
Read more: 88 local authorities receive Malaysia smart city recognition since 2023
Kuching is set for a RM550 million digital upgrade, with a smart city project aimed at strengthening connectivity, using artificial intelligence (AI) and data to improve urban services.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the Kuching Smart City and Digital Connectivity project would provide a significant boost to digital infrastructure in Kuching and surrounding areas.