by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 12: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) showcases its people-first Smart City initiatives to a visiting delegation from Perak as part of an inter-city knowledge exchange to enhance Smart City development and sustainable urban management.
At the same time, the councils also explored opportunities to collaborate in cultural, tourism, and creative economy initiatives between Kuching and Ipoh.
In a press statement, MBKS Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng 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,” he said.
The delegation, led by Sandrea Ng, member of the Perak State Executive Council (EXCO), included the Mayor and chairpersons of local councils from Perak.
Among the council’s initiatives shared with the Perak delegation were the ESG Smart Pole Project, AI-enabled surveillance systems, iPeople digital engagement platform, iBuyBack recycling app, and Smart Traffic Management System. These programmes reflect MBKS’s shift towards a data-driven, people-centred governance model.
Wee said Kuching South’s Smart City transformation is guided by the 5R Principles – Resident-Centric, Responsiveness, Reliability, Resourcefulness, and Resilience – forming the foundation for efficient services, strong urban safety, and sustainable growth.
“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 added.
He also pointed out that the Smart City agenda aligns closely with Sarawak’s Post-COVID Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) and the PLANMalaysia Smart City Framework, which emphasise sustainable growth, digital transformation, and community well-being.
Wee further highlighted that MBKS’ participation in international partnerships including the UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy and the WHO Age-Friendly City programme reflects the city’s broader vision of integrating culture, creativity, and inclusivity into urban development.
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,” Wee said.
“Every city has unique challenges and strengths, but we all share the same aspiration to make our cities better places to live,” he added. – DayakDaily
