Malaysia to Establish National Smart City Command Center by Late 2025, Aiming for Regional AI Collaboration

Key Takeaways

The Digital Ministry plans to establish a national smart city command center by year-end to streamline state-level initiatives.
Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur 2025 will be the first Southeast Asian edition, expected to attract over 10,000 delegates and showcase AI-driven urban solutions.
5G infrastructure will facilitate AI applications across smart cities, enhancing traffic management, public safety, and environmental monitoring.

National Smart City Command Center Initiatives

The Digital Ministry is set to create a national smart city command center to unify existing smart city projects across Malaysia by the end of 2023. Currently, various states like Penang, Johor, and Sarawak have their own initiatives but lack a coordinated national framework. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo emphasized the importance of collaboration among states to enhance service delivery and share successful practices.

Gobind’s vision emerged after visiting smart city operations and observing the varied technologies and approaches used. He aims to consolidate these efforts into a cohesive national strategy, facilitating the pooling of resources and innovative solutions among states, thereby fostering a more integrated smart city ecosystem.

Collaborative Framework for Mayors

To kickstart this initiative, a roundtable conference will involve mayors from across the country. This gathering will explore the establishment of a cooperation framework to address common challenges and leverage industry partnerships. Gobind highlighted the success of integrating traffic management solutions. Collaborating with private sector players has already led to enhanced capabilities in traffic analysis and accident prevention, showcasing the significant role of data in urban planning.

5G Infrastructure as a Backbone for Innovation

As part of its smart city ambitions, Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) is expanding its 5G network, which now covers over 82% of populated areas. This connectivity serves as the backbone of AI-driven applications, allowing real-time data utilization for traffic management, public safety, and environmental monitoring. The Digital Ministry is also preparing an AI roadmap for the years 2026-2030 to enhance Malaysia’s technological landscape further.

SCEKL25: A Regional Platform for Innovation

Scheduled for September 17-19, 2025, the Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur will be the first edition in Southeast Asia. Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship aims to utilize this event to bolster the ASEAN Master Plan on Connectivity and the Digital Economy Framework Agreement. The expo will attract over 10,000 delegates and 300 exhibitors, focusing on AI cities, sustainable urban development, and digital entrepreneurship.

Additionally, Malaysia has seen significant growth in digital investments, recording over US$38.65 billion in 2024. This advancement facilitates the country’s broader digital economic objectives and positions it as a leader in the smart city revolution within Southeast Asia.

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