KUCHING: Sarawak is committed to tackle urbanisation challenges and improve quality of life through smart city development.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said that smart city development is essential as the state advances digitalisation and sustainable urban transformation.
He said smart city frameworks enable data-driven solutions that strengthen public health systems, improve housing management, and enhance the delivery of digital services by local councils.
“Rewind to 2018, Malaysia’s smart city journey began in 2018 with the MySmart City Strategies, which introduced a national framework for coordinated urban development.
“Kuching was among five pilot cities, where early interventions focused on addressing congestion and flood risks using smart mobility systems and environmental monitoring technologies,” he said.
He said this in a speech read by Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng at the opening of the first International Conference on Sustainable Smart Cities (ICSSC) here today.
These early initiatives contributed to the development of the Kuching Smart City Masterplan (KSCMP 2021 to 2025) under the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA), which structured long-term digital urban transformation.
Dr Sim, who is also Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government added that the Covid-19 pandemic further accelerated reliance on digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT)and cloud computing in managing urban systems and public services.
“Sarawak aims to become Malaysia’s leading AI hub and has pioneered homegrown solutions such as KETEQ AI, an AI-based power conversion device, as well as local AI models like DeepSAR,” he added.
Building on this shift, Sarawak is now implementing the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 which integrates economic growth with sustainability goals.
To support this agenda, he said that the state has expanded digital infrastructure through SMART towers, rural broadband connectivity, and platforms such as SarawakPass and SPay Global.
At the same time, Sarawak is advancing its clean energy transition through hydropower expansion, solar and biomass development, and green hydrogen initiatives including the Kota Petra Green Technology Park.
Urban innovation is also progressing through hydrogen-powered buses, Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) trials in Kuching, and smart city developments such as the Kenyalang Smart City in Miri.
“Such achievements have formed the bedrock of international trust, catalysed increased investment and creating deeper economic multiplier and spillover effects across Sarawak in the years to come,” he said.
He stressed that sustaining this progress requires continuous investment in human capital through education, digital skills training, and STEM development.
Institutions such as the Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary Schools and CENTEXS are central to producing a skilled workforce for the digital economy.
However, he added that global competitiveness also depends on strong institutions and international collaboration alongside local capacity building.
“ICSSC 2026 plays a key role in bridging global expertise and local implementation through knowledge exchange and innovation-focused programmes.
“It is my sincere hope that the conference serve as catalyst for new ideas and collaborations to advance sustainable smart city development,” he added.
