From optimising street lighting and traffic flow to managing public parking and camera surveillance, Internet of Things (IoT) powered sensors enable smarter, real-time responses and improved city services. However, this integration into a single infrastructure poses significant cybersecurity challenges.
The vast volume of diverse data generated by the IoT sensors creates a space for the malicious activities of cybercriminals, necessitating a balance between advancing smart city initiatives and ensuring robust cybersecurity measures.
Malaysia and China will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in the fields of housing, urban planning, and smart cities, announced Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.
In a statement on Tuesday, Nga said the exchange of the MOU between Malaysia's Ministry of Housing and Local Government and China's Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development will be witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Li Qiang, during the Chinese premier's official three-day visit to the country from Tuesday to Thursday.
Read more: MY: MOU on housing, urban planning, smart cities to be inked with China, says Nga
Ipoh City Council (MBI) wants to see Ipoh become a Smart Regional City by 2030.
Ipoh mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin said the city council had made it its mission to empower city management, encourage inclusivity towards becoming a smart city, with low-carbon emissions and a prosperous society.
Rumaizi said all these were included in its Strategic Planning Plan 2021-2030 that was based on the National Sustainable Development Goals policy.
Read more: MY: Perak: Preparing Ipoh to be Smart Regional City by 2030
Smart city integrated system and solutions provider ITMAX System Bhd (KL:ITMAX) has been appointed by the Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) as the operator of smart parking in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, for a period of 15 years.
In an exchange filing on Tuesday, ITMAX said its 65%-owned subsidiary Southmax Sdn Bhd has secured a letter of appointment (LOA) to develop, manage and maintain 32,025 on-street parking bays at MBIP, starting June 1 this year until May 31, 2039.
“This LoI will provide long-term benefits to both cities and will help further increase investment and provide ample opportunities for high technology exchange, especially in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and the development of startup company ecosystems between Malaysia and the People's Republic of China.
“This LoI will also open important prospects for entrepreneurs and communication technology players in both countries to continue to innovate and advance technology," she said in a statement.
Read more: MY: DBKL, Hangzhou ink LoI to focus on Smartup City Connect cooperation