Penang has taken one other daring step in its digitalisation journey with the launch of the Digital Island of Penang (VIP), a flagship initiative by the Penang Island Metropolis Council (MBPP) that goals to strengthen public service supply and push the state nearer to its purpose of changing into a sensible metropolis.
The VIP system integrates 10 sensible modules, developed via years of inner experience and collaborations with exterior companions. A few of these modules are the primary of their sort in Malaysia, together with geotechnical slope monitoring, tree stock and inspection, in addition to climate and catastrophe administration.
MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran described the launch as a mirrored image of the council’s long-term imaginative and prescient to sort out city challenges via know-how.
“Urbanisation in Malaysia has reached almost 80%, whereas in Penang, 93% of residents reside in city areas. This creates challenges equivalent to congestion, housing demand, and sustainability points. On this context, digitalisation is not an choice however a necessity,” he mentioned.
Penang’s digital journey, he famous, started over 15 years in the past with the Geographical Data System (GIS), which laid the inspiration for data-driven city administration. Since then, MBPP has progressively adopted digital options, investing about RM30 million in sensible metropolis initiatives since 2020.
Among the many pioneering modules are the Geotechnical Slope Monitoring and Management Module, which detects soil actions for early intervention; the Tree Stock and Inspection Module, powered by AI and distant sensing with over 80% accuracy; and the Climate Monitoring and Catastrophe Administration Module, which delivers real-time alerts and helps emergency planning.
“We have now built-in satellite tv for pc imagery, LiDAR, and predictive in addition to generative AI to make these modules more practical and interactive with real-time info. This enables MBPP to reply swiftly with options,” Rajendran mentioned, including that enhancements to CCTV surveillance with options equivalent to car kind evaluation and quantity plate recognition are additionally underway.
Whereas not all modules are public-facing, chosen options, together with catastrophe alerts and the situation of automated exterior defibrillators (AEDs), may be accessed via Pearl Apps.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who officiated the launch, recommended MBPP for main the initiative and known as for broader adoption nationwide.
“With 11 use instances already developed, this platform can broaden additional to serve the folks extra successfully. If MBPP has invested RM30 million, it’s well timed for the Federal Authorities to allocate funds to empower native councils throughout Malaysia,” he mentioned.
Chow burdened that digitalisation on the council degree would enhance service supply, income assortment, and concrete administration whereas making cities extra sustainable and resilient.
“The Digital Island of Penang is just not the top, however the starting of a steady journey in the direction of smarter governance,” Rajendran concluded.
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