KUALA LUMPUR: The Housing and Local Government Ministry today launched the Malaysia Smart City Framework, a book that will serve as a guideline for local governments all across the country to develop cities into smart cities.
Its Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin (pix) said this guideline serves as a reminder for the respective local governments to take progressive steps to upgrade connectivity, infrastructure and effectiveness of communication with the people.
“In doing so, we improve the quality life of the people. We start by developing the cities. The Ministry is very committed in ensuring that our local govt play an active part in developing by taking initiatives to develop the local government itself,“ she said at a press conference after launching the framework and the second Cities 4.0 international conference and exhibition at Kuala Lumpur.
She also said five pilot cities will undergo projects to be upgraded into smart cities, and they are Kulim, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baru, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.
“We are working on issues that are identifiable with the respective local government and the city itself. For example, we are working with Korea to implement a smart water management system in Kota Kinabalu,“ she said.
Earlier, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir, through a video, said the framework is the federal government’s commitment in its essential role in ensuring that cities are on track to be smart and sustainable.
“We envision smart cities that are integrated with sustainable technologies in the cities’ services such as 5G connectivity, cashless community, autonomous public transport, drone delivery, energy-efficient buildings, smart treatment of water and waste management and others, that can improve the public safety and the quality of life of our citizens,“ he said.
He also said the emphasis towards turning Malaysian cities into smart cities would be one of the highlights in the upcoming 12th Malaysia Plan.
“We may deploy digital city solutions to develop functional, resilient and efficient mobility system but we must remember the goal is still about the prosperity and wellbeing of the rakyat,“ he added.
