6 days ago
Johor Baru on track to leading smart city status
MBJB is hopeful of obtaining level three status in the Malaysian Smart City Framework. — Filepic
Higher ranking under national rating system will strengthen position as urban hub, says mayor
Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) may soon be the first local council in Malaysia to achieve a level three status under the national smart city rating system.
The rating system is part of the Malaysian Smart City Framework 2019-2025.
Johor Baru mayor Datuk Mohd Haffiz Ahmad said the council had applied for the recognition based on MS ISO 37122: Indicators for SmartCity Standard.
This standard, comprising 85 indicators, was developed by the Housing and Local Government Ministry through PLANMalaysia together with the Standards Department.
It is part of an accreditation process to ensure the country achieves the Smart City Agenda.
'We are undergoing two audit sessions as part of the verification and validation process for the national smart city rating.
'The council submitted its application via the National Smart City Platform between April 7 and June 6, with assessment sessions held from June 16 to 20,' he said during the council's monthly full board meeting at Menara MBJB.
MBJB had been awarded level two status in 2024.
Mohd Haffiz: We are undergoing two audit sessions as part of the verification and validation process.
At the time, it had joined Putrajaya Corporation as one of only two local authorities in Malaysia to have reached the second of four levels under the national framework.
Mohd Haffiz said MBJB's efforts are in response to a vision that had been outlined by Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi to position Johor Baru as a future-ready city.
'This rating system will help enhance investor confidence and strengthen Johor Baru's position as a high-potential urban hub,' he added.
As of now, no city council in Malaysia has achieved the level three or four mark.
A level three accreditation for MBJB would pave the way for Johor Baru to become the first Malaysian city to be recognised as a Leading Smart City under the rating system.
This status requires advanced integration of data systems, inter-agency coordination and citizen-centric digital services.
Previously, state housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor had said that the Johor government is aiming for all 16 local councils in the state to achieve Smart City status by next year.
He had also expressed hope that MBJB would reach level three by the first quarter of 2026.
