The Governments of Malaysia and China have agreed to strengthen cooperation on smart city development, focusing on pilot projects in the Malaysian cities of Ipoh and Seberang Perai. The initiative was discussed during a bilateral meeting, with both governments seeking to adapt China’s smart city platforms, such as Hangzhou’s City Brain and Shenzhen’s Smart City Data Platform, to Malaysia’s context.
The pilot projects will act as living laboratories for testing smart technologies, sustainable infrastructure, and innovative housing solutions. Plans include smart city command centres, IoT-based building management, energy-efficient systems, home automation, and smart metering. These will provide real-time data to improve resource use, reduce energy consumption, and enhance urban management practices.
Sustainability features will include solar energy adoption, water-saving systems, and waste separation and recycling facilities. Social inclusivity will be prioritised with family-centric housing layouts and elderly-friendly designs. Malaysia has also proposed an exchange programme for government officials from both countries covering urban planning, housing policy, and sustainable practices.
The collaboration is being aligned with Malaysia’s role as president of the UN-Habitat Assembly and regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN+3 Real Estate Conference, to be held in Kuala Lumpur in July 2026. The pilots in Ipoh and Seberang Perai are expected to provide replicable models for smart urbanisation across Malaysia.