KUALA LUMPUR – Smart city initiatives seem to be the way forward as cities focus on utilising intelligent physical, social, economic, and institutional infrastructure and digital tools to deliver quality service to citizens, said Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
Amirudin said the number of smart cities is projected to increase from 21 to 88 globally, with 32 to be in the Asia Pacific, 31 in Europe, and 25 in the Americas.
“In fact, we have 11 cities from other countries today that have embarked on smart city initiatives such as Jakarta, Taipei, Asan, Chiang Mai, Amsterdam, Khon Kaen, Seongbuk, Kaohsiung, Sunshine Coast, Makassar, and Rayong.
“Selangor is Malaysia’s most populous state with a population of 6.56 million and is the state with the largest economy, contributing 24% to Malaysia’s gross domestic product.
“I can relate my experience with the many Asian mayors and city administrators in this plenary hall who are managing 11 cities and municipalities within 8,104 square kilometres. It is extremely challenging but fulfilling,” he said at the launch of the 7th edition of the Selangor Smart City and Digital Economy Convention 2022.
Under the Smart Selangor Action Plan, Amirudin said, the state government is spearheading the adoption of smart digital technologies via four key domains – government, economy, community, and digital Infrastructure – to pursue inclusiveness, resilience, and innovation in realising Selangor’s vision as a livable smart state in Asean by 2025.
“Selangor has deployed several smart initiatives that are public-centric such as the financial aid system for Selangor assemblymen’s offices and the enhancement of the existing citizen e-payment to enable the public to reach more government services online.
“These initiatives support the objectives under the smart government domain in becoming a data-driven government,” he said.
In order to accelerate the use of green technology, Amirudin said, the state recently allocated RM30 million in venture capital funds through Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd to accelerate the growth of Selangor start-ups.
“This will bring tremendous benefits to the public as we will be able to rapidly decarbonise power while cutting our household energy bills and reducing fuel subsidies.
“We have a number of startups nurtured under the Selangor Accelerator Programme that are gearing to promote clean and alternative energy and spearhead the transition to a circular economy,” he added.
At the event, Amirudin also launched Selangor Digital School (SDS), another new initiative by Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation, the organiser of the convention.
SDS aims to solve the shortage of digital talents in Selangor and is a co-creation project that symbolises the collaboration of the central and state governments, private investors, venture capital funds, start-ups through Penjana Capital, Sidec, The Hive, EZT Group, and DMC. – Bernama, October 7, 2022
