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
In the past 34 years, Kuching city has seen a successful transformation, said Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.
He said from a town, Kuching has now become a clean and smart city in addition to developing successfully.
“Well done and congratulations to both mayors (Kuching North and Kuching South) and all the staff who worked hard to make what we witnessed today a success,” he said when officiating the Kuching City 34th anniversary celebration here, today.
Read more: MY: Sarawak premier says Kuching city transformation a success
One thousand more closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras will be installed throughout Johor Baru in an effort to make it a smart and safe city for all.
Mayor Datuk Noorazam Osman said there were currently 161 cameras installed in areas under the jurisdiction of Johor Baru City Council (MBJB).
“Out of that number, 117 are owned by MBJB and 44 units belong to Housing and Local Government Ministry.
Read more: MY: Johor Baru: Seeing through its plans for smart city
The fifth-generation network (5G) is an enabler for the emergence of smart cities in Malaysia, said an academician.
A lecturer at the School of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Associate Professor Dr Leow Chee Yen said smart city basic building blocks consist of good infrastructure equipped with an advanced comprehensive network infrastructure embedded in 5G technology among others.
Perak has launched its first traffic light system that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce traffic congestion. Recently, the Ipoh City Council (MBI) signed a service subscription agreement with Telekom Malaysia (TM) for the Smart Traffic Light with Intelligence Analytic (STARS) system, which uses AI, high-definition cameras and video analytics to analyse and optimise traffic flow.
According to Perak youth and sports, communications and multimedia committee chairman Khairul Shahril Mohamed, the STARS system has been trialled since last November at four intersections along Jalan Sultan Idris Shah.