Bentong to be first smart city in Malaysia under Obor

SERI KEMBANGAN: The China Smart Creation (CSC) Smart Eco-Valley in Bentong, Pahang, benefiting from the "One Belt, One Road" (OBOR) initiative, will be Malaysia's first smart city.
Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said this was in line with the aspiration to turn the town into a smart eco-friendly city, in addition to its status as a satellite city.
"This will be the first 100% smart city in Malaysia that uses China's latest smart technology. The project, which is expected to commence at the end of this year, will take 18 to 24 months to complete," he told reporters after the launching of the 2017 Malaysia Belt and Road's CSC Construction Industry Products and Solutions Campaign here, today.
However, the cost of the entire project on the designated 16ha land was not disclosed.
Meanwhile, Datuk Clement Tan Wei Loon, Group Chief Executive Officer of Quantum March Sdn Bhd, a joint developer of the smart city development, said the project was a joint-venture between two local companies and 10 Chinese state-owned companies.
"Today, we have signed four agreements pertaining to the project and more agreements are expected to be sealed later," he said.
Besides Quantum March, another local company, DSA Development Sdn Bhd, will jointly develop the upcoming smart city project.
The project, with a gross development value of RM3.5 billion, will comprise a smart city township that includes homes, hotels, universities, and a wellness centre, which encompasses the smart industry, smart living and smart management, using the latest technology from China.
Earlier, at the launch, Chief Campaign Advisor, Datuk Mohd Nazifuddin Najib said the campaign, which features the CSC-Lifestyle Experimental Showcase held here from today until Jan 5, 2018, would focus on green technologies and data solutions.
"The campaign will organise about 100 forums and workshops to enable the Malaysian property developers to enhance their knowledge on the latest technology in China's construction industry," he said. — Bernama