The Ministry of Local Government Development (KPKT) has made Smart City a strategic initiative to address key challenges in making cities in Malaysia more productive, competitive, sustainable and livable for current and future generations.
Its minister, Nga Kor Ming, said according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the nation’s urbanisation rate has tripled over five decades from 28.4 per cent in 1970 to 75.1 per cent in 2020 and is projected to reach 85 per cent by 2040, which is stipulated under the 4th National Physical Plan (NPP-4).
The "Selangor Information Technology & Digital Economy Corporation" (Sidec) is set to take centre stage once again with its highly anticipated Selangor "Smart City & Digital Economy Convention" (SDEC).
Part of the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS), the four-day convention will start on Oct 19 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, and promises to be a catalyst for innovation, collaboration and investment opportunities in the realm of smart cities and digital economies.
Read more: MY: Selangor. SDEC 2023 set to unlock opportunities in digitalisation, sustainability
The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) is focused on transforming Kuching into a smart city as part of its five-year plan, said Datuk Wee Hong Seng.
The Kuching South mayor said among the first steps include the installation of more high-resolution closed-circuit television units (CCTVs).
He added the council is in discussions with Syarikat Sesco Bhd regarding the replacement of existing street lights with LED types.
Read more: MY: Sarawak: Wee: MBKS’ five-year plan to focus on transforming Kuching into smart city
The government will implement a single window initiative to coordinate and reorganise functions, especially in relation to collaboration across agencies in the startup ecosystem as a guide in policy formulation and decision making, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“Malaysia aims to be among the top 20 countries in the global startup ecosystem by 2030 and develop Kuala Lumpur as a regional startup and digital hub.
Situated between Butterworth and Sungai Petani, about 30 kilometres from George Town, Bertam under the Kepala Batas parliamentary constituency is a ‘mature’ town with well-developed infrastructure that has not harmed the natural ecosystem.
The area, previously a palm oil and rubber plantation, is now equipped with various facilities, including Kepala Batas Hospital; Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department’s Northern Region Air Base; Maktab Rendah Sains MARA Ulul Albab and Universiti Sains Malaysia Medical Centre, Bertam (PPUSMB).
Read more: MY: Kepala Batas: Bertam: A smart energy city with tourism potential