The Selangor state government recently held its seventh edition of the Selangor Smart City and Digital Economy Convention (SDEC), themed “Sustainable Digitalisation Towards a Net-Zero Future”.
Organised by the Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation (Sidec), the four-day convention covered two important areas of interest — Selangor’s aspirations towards becoming a smart city and current trends in the digitalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Read more: MY: Selangor welcomes smart city aspirations and SME digitalisation
The Communications and Multimedia Ministry through TM One will continue to keep its focus to realise the country's digital economy aspiration via the development of smart cities throughout the country starting with eight states.
Its Deputy Minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin said among the cities involved are Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya as well as major towns in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor, Penang, Perak, Sabah and Sarawak.
Read more: MY: Eight states to get pioneer 'smart cities', says ministry
Malaysia’s upcoming Budget 2023 will focus on the use of automation and digital technology, and the development of a future-ready workforce, said Deputy Finance Minister II Yamani Hafez Musa.
He said the Government, in collaboration with various parties, is actively preparing the nation for digital transformation to drive sustainable and equitable economic growth.
Read more: MY: Budget 2023 to focus on automation, digital technology — MOF
Becoming a smart city with low carbon emissions by 2025 will be the Pasir Gudang City Council’s (MBPG) main agenda this year, says mayor Datuk Asman Shah Abd Rahman.
The city council will also ensure that its service delivery is up to mark through the Pasir Gudang Local Plan 2025.
Read more: MY: Johor: Pasir Gudang: ‘Smart city status top of the agenda’
Malaysia has long been at the forefront of digital transformation. Over the decades, efforts have continued to overcome challenges surrounding digitalisation – namely, by broadening nationwide connectivity, enhancing the flow and handling of data, and building cohesive connections between the advanced technologies.
With the COVID-19 pandemic having upended the way societies operate, the government had to accelerate the digitalisation of many public services to minimise disruption and ensure that people can continue accessing them without compromising public health and safety.
Read more: Envisioning the Digital Transformation of Public Services in Malaysia