The Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) has launched the Shah Alam Integrated Smart Monitoring System Command Centre, known as Iris. This innovation represents a key step in the city’s digital transformation, combining solar-powered surveillance and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to strengthen safety management, improve efficiency and support sustainability.
Iris integrates advanced closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems powered by solar energy, allowing continuous monitoring even in areas without access to electricity. By reducing dependency on traditional energy sources, the system contributes to lower carbon emissions while supporting MBSA’s broader commitment to a green and low-carbon city. The initiative reflects an effort to balance technological progress with environmental responsibility.
The solar-based infrastructure enhances the city’s surveillance network by ensuring uninterrupted operation across a wider geographical area. This capability is particularly valuable in high-risk or remote locations, where conventional energy supply may be inconsistent.
The renewable power system not only cuts operational costs but also provides long-term sustainability benefits by reducing the city’s energy consumption.
Developed over four years, Iris incorporates AI-driven functions that automate and optimise monitoring processes. The technology supports advanced image recognition and real-time analytics to detect unusual activities, monitor traffic flow and coordinate incident response. This intelligent automation reduces reliance on manual supervision and enables faster, more accurate decision-making in city operations.
Beyond security, the integration of AI in Iris extends to disaster management and environmental monitoring. The system can track water levels in flood-prone zones and generate early alerts when risks are detected. These warnings are transmitted to residents and response teams, improving the speed and precision of emergency actions. The automated process strengthens community resilience and enhances preparedness for natural disasters.
Through its centralised command structure, Iris provides MBSA with a unified platform for data collection, analysis, and management. This allows multiple systems, covering safety, traffic and environment, to operate cohesively. The integration reduces response time to incidents and supports data-driven governance by providing continuous situational awareness across the city.
Operational efficiency is another major outcome of the system’s deployment. The automation of surveillance and reporting processes reduces manpower requirements, enabling city officers to focus on more strategic tasks. Centralised digital monitoring also minimises physical inspections and allows for faster complaint handling, resulting in improved service delivery to the public.
MBSA plans to extend Iris coverage across its entire administrative region by next year. The expansion aims to achieve full utilisation of renewable energy in city surveillance while scaling up AI-based functions for enhanced public safety, traffic regulation and infrastructure monitoring. These initiatives form part of the council’s wider Smart City Shah Alam programme, which promotes the integration of digital technologies to improve governance, sustainability and quality of life.
The system’s success highlights the value of combining renewable energy with intelligent automation to meet modern urban challenges. By leveraging AI and solar energy, Shah Alam is establishing a framework for efficient, environmentally conscious city management. The innovation demonstrates how municipal authorities can deploy emerging technologies to deliver practical, scalable solutions that support both security and sustainability goals.
Iris has received recognition at the state level for its contribution to innovation in public service. It was named the overall winner in the Social Innovation and Best Innovation Project categories at the 2025 Selangor Public Service Innovation Persada (MPIPANS) ceremony. The achievement underscores the city council’s role in advancing digital transformation and sustainability initiatives through technology.
Through Iris, Shah Alam sets an example of how AI-powered systems and renewable energy can be integrated into city operations to enhance safety, efficiency, and environmental stewardship. The system embodies the next stage of smart urban governance, one that prioritises sustainable energy, data-driven decisions and proactive public safety management.
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Dieser Artikel ist neu veröffentlicht von / This article is republished from: Open Gov Asia, 03.11.2025
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