KUCHING – Following a courtesy visit by YBhg Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani, Chairman of Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), to the Kuching North City Hall together with a number of senior officers of the agency to discuss their smart city aspirations, a meeting was held with Dato Haji Hilmy bin Haji Othman, Mayor of Kuching North City.
The discussion noted the need to develop Kuching North as a modern smart city and centre of innovation that is sustainable and liveable for its people. Both sides pointed to the importance of strategic partnership in how technology-driven initiatives are integrated into city planning.
Sarawak has been leading the race in regard to digital transformation, and smart city development is an agenda on the national level in Malaysia. The state’s digital economy agenda will try to use technology to deliver better public services, build up infrastructure and develop more efficient city governance systems.
Dato Ir. Ts. Sudarnoto Osman, CEO of SDEC, also participated in the conversation to reiterate the corporation’s pledge to aid Kuching North on its digital quest. Smart city projects, he suggested, need to strike the right balance between technology innovation and community service that’s inclusive and accessible.
Others in attendance were Encik Ramzi bin Abdillah, DBKU Director; Puan Maggie Anak Tomeng, Deputy Director of Development and Landscape Services Department; and Haji Mohd Syafri bin Mohd Zan, head of the Building Division (DBKU). Their involvement demonstrated DBKU’s preparedness to modernise municipal services in line with digital initiatives.
The conversation identified possible joint opportunities in such fields as smart infrastructure, data‐informed city planning and sustainable energy. Both parties agreed that cooperation among government agencies, local authorities and technology companies is crucial in establishing a competitive Kuching North for the future.
Advocates say the potential of smart city projects is enormous, with improvements that could include less traffic congestion and better waste disposal, increased safety and environmental friendliness. For Kuching North, the collaboration with SDEC will catalyse its ambition to be a model city in Sarawak.
A shared vision was the conclusion of their meeting: that they must move forward together to make Kuching North a smarter, more resilient and globally competitive city.
