PENANG has officially launched its Smart City Blueprint 2040 as a long-term guide for smart city development in the state, aimed at coordinating related initiatives and strengthening the integration of data and technology.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the proposed development of the Penang Urban Intelligence Observatory (PUIO), Smart Data Exchange Platform (SDX) and Smart Penang Dashboard would further integrate data across the state, enabling the government to make more accurate and effective decisions and take appropriate action.
The Penang Island City Council’s (MBPP) 2030 Smart City Action Plan, also launched at the event, would serve as a foundation for realising the smart city vision and ensuring that the initiatives meet the people’s needs.
“Smart cities are not just about the use of technology. Issues such as floods, traffic congestion, solid waste management and rising urban temperatures also require physical planning and integrated solutions.”
He said this when attending the 2026 Penang World Town Planning Day celebration today, adding that local authorities in Penang had continued to digitise public services through various initiatives.
Chow also called for continued collaboration among PLANMalaysia Penang, the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP), government agencies, the private sector, academic institutions, professional bodies and the community to ensure the effective implementation of smart city initiatives.
“I hope that PLANMalaysia@Penang will continue to coordinate these efforts alongside the MBPP, the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP), government agencies, the private sector, academic institutions, professional bodies, and the community, ensuring that the benefits of smart development are realised through more efficient services and an urban environment that is safe, comfortable, and sustainable,” Chow said.
He cited MBPP’s PEARL – One Touch Penang application, which recorded more than 75,000 downloads and RM25.1 million in payment transactions during the PEARL Bayar & Menang 2.0 campaign held from June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026.
He said the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) had retained its five-star rating under the 2026 Local Government Star Rating System and received the 2025 Sustainable City recognition through MURNInets.
The establishment of the Seberang Perai ASPIRE Centre (SPACE) had also further strengthened data integration, monitoring and coordination of urban operations, he added.
He added that eight years into the implementation of the Penang2030 vision, eight of its 10 main goals had either been achieved or were progressing according to plan.
Chow said Penang’s exports reached RM113.2bil as of September, accounting for about 52.6% of the country’s total exports.
He noted that 177 manufacturing investment projects worth RM17.32bil were approved from January to June 2026, with an estimated 19,337 job opportunities expected to be created.
“These achievements are made possible by sound urban planning, quality infrastructure and sustainable resource management, which ensure that economic development also benefits the people and further improves their quality of life,” he said.
Also present were PLANMalaysia deputy director-general Datuk Rozita Hamit, State Secretary Datuk Dr Jafri bin Abdul Jalil, state executive councillor for Local Government and Town & Country Planning H’ng Mooi Lye, state executive councillor for Trade and National Unity Goh Choon Aik, MBPP mayor Datuk Rajendran P. Anthony, MBPP secretary Cheong Chee Hong and PLANMalaysia Penang director Norjafni Zainuddin.
Story by Ammar Mikhail Aamer
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Vid by Law Suun Ting