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Image credit: The Sun

KUALA LUMPUR: The Digital Ministry is planning to convene a roundtable with mayors from all states to explore the possibility of establishing a formal framework for smart city development.

Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said many cities in Malaysia already have smart initiatives in place, reflecting the country's progress in this area.

"It is really about bringing together all the mayors from each state at this conference. From there, we can begin discussing a policy and cooperation plan between the states, and explore how we can build and strengthen that framework moving forward," he said.

Gobind pointed to examples in Penang, Putrajaya, Selangor and Sarawak, which have established command centres and are actively implementing smart city initiatives.

He noted that cities such as Penang and Putrajaya already feature real-time data monitoring systems, a sign that Malaysia is well on its way to becoming a smart city nation.

"The next step is to determine whether we want to consolidate these efforts through a central national command center, something we plan to discuss with the mayors and local authorities across the states," he said.

Gobind was speaking at a press conference following the official launch of the 100-day countdown to Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur 2025 (SCEKL25).

In his keynote address, he said the expo is designed to deliver concrete outcomes, including enhancing public-private partnerships, drawing regional investments, and generating new opportunities for entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises nationwide.

He said the event acts as a key platform to showcase Malaysia's dedication, expertise, and leadership in promoting smart city development and digital transformation.

"As we take on the Asean chairmanship this year, this expo reflects our commitment to shaping the future of urban innovation — not just for Malaysia, but for the entire region," he said.

Malaysia is advancing the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), which aims to unlock US$2 trillion in digital economic potential by 2030 through cross-border investment, market access and harmonised digital regulations.

"Hosting SCEKL25 is part of this broader leadership agenda. It positions Malaysia as a regional hub for smart city innovation, public-private collaboration, and inclusive digital development," Gobind added.

SCEKL25, scheduled for Sept 17 to 19, will carry the theme "AI Cities: Shaping Our Digital Future", highlighting Malaysia's vision to create intelligent, inclusive and sustainable cities powered by advanced technologies.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2025/06/1225745/digital-ministry-host-national-roundtable-smart-city-framework