KUCHING: A delegation from Perak led by a Member of the Perak State Executive Council (EXCO), Sandrea Ng, recently visited Kuching South City Council (MBKS) to exchange ideas on Smart City development and sustainable urban management.
MBKS welcomed the delegation, which included mayors and chairmen of local councils from Perak, for a working visit aimed at fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing in urban innovation.
Mayor of MBKS, Datuk Wee Hong Seng, extended a warm welcome to the delegation, describing the visit as a meaningful platform for inter-city learning and cooperation.
He said both local councils in Sarawak and Perak share a common goal to build cities that are liveable, sustainable, and inclusive, guided by innovation, collaboration, and care for the community.
“At Kuching South, our Smart City development is not just about technology, but about connecting technology with the people. Every innovation we introduce must ultimately make our residents’ lives easier, safer, and better,” said Wee.
He added that Kuching South’s Smart City transformation is shaped around the 5R Principles – Resident-Centric, Responsiveness, Reliability, Resourcefulness, and Resilience.
These principles, he explained, form the foundation of MBKS’s long-term strategy to deliver efficient city services, strengthen urban safety, and promote sustainable growth through partnership and innovation.
He noted that MBKS’s initiatives including the ESG Smart Pole Project, AI-enabled surveillance systems, iPeople digital engagement platform, iBuyBack recycling app, and Smart Traffic Management System reflect the council’s shift toward a data-driven and people-centred governance model.
“The essence of a Smart City lies not in gadgets or systems, but in how these tools help us respond faster, plan better, and serve our residents more effectively,” he said.
He emphasised that Kuching South’s Smart City agenda aligns closely with Sarawak’s Post-COVID Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) and the PLANMalaysia Smart City Framework, both of which focus on sustainable growth, digital transformation, and community well-being.
“These frameworks guide MBKS in ensuring that every technological advancement contributes meaningfully to residents’ quality of life,”he said.
He also welcomed opportunities for collaboration between Kuching and Ipoh, recognised as a UNESCO Creative City of Music, to explore joint cultural, tourism, and creative economy initiatives that celebrate Malaysia’s rich diversity and strengthen its global presence.
“We look forward to working together with Ipoh on creative city activities that connect our strengths in gastronomy and music, fostering innovation and community well-being through shared cultural experiences,” he said.
“Every city has unique challenges and strengths, but we all share the same aspiration to make our cities better places to live. Kuching South is honoured to share our experience and to learn from others in the process,” he added.
