Malaysia's Smart City Push: Unifying State Initiatives for a Digital Future

Malaysia's Smart City Ambitions: A National Strategy Takes Shape Kuala Lumpur, June 4, 2025 – Malaysia is making strides towards becoming a nationwide smart city, with multiple states already implementing digital initiatives and establishing their own command centers. This coordinated effort, however, lacks a central authority to unify the various state-level strategies. "We already have cities that are moving digitally," explains Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital, in a recent interview. "Penang, for example, has screens showcasing technological solutions, and Putrajaya also boasts a command center." The Minister emphasizes the ongoing work towards a cohesive national strategy. The video showcases various command centers and digital displays, illustrating the progress made at the state level. However, the lack of a national command center is a significant hurdle to overcome. The Minister's comments suggest a future focus on integrating these state-level efforts into a unified national plan. The initiative promises a more efficient and technologically advanced Malaysia, improving various aspects of urban life. The successful implementation of a national strategy will be crucial in realizing this vision.