Miri’s Smart City initiatives to offer residents improved services
MIRI: The first Smart City initiatives in Sarawak, which are scheduled to begin here in September, will offer residents improved services for greater ease in various areas.
Miri mayor Adam Yii said the technologies focus on four solution modules comprising several initiatives including Digital Signage, Safe City, Command Centre, e-Local Government (eLA2), Smart Miri, Smart Tourism, Smart MCC (Miri City Council), Safe Park, Smart Drain, Smart Bus, Smart Truck, and Miri Cares.
“Smart Bus, for example, the people will enjoy the service by paying only RM1 bus fare, with the government subsidising the cost of the bus fare.
“CCTV will be installed for safety of passengers and drivers, and other support system like e-payment using Sarawak Pay or a similar system Touch ‘n Go eWallet,” Yii told reporters during a site visit at Bulatan Park.
For the Safe Park and Safe City initiatives, he said 180 CCTV cameras will be installed with an enhanced panic button application, whereby those who witness or suspect any crime case can press the button and communicate with the command centre at the MCC building, which will be linked directly to the police.
“With these systems in operation, the police could act speedily to nab the suspects and ensure the safety of the people in the park or in the city centre.
“Consequently all these safety gadgets will enhance safety of the people and public property, and thus will boost the image of Miri city as a safe and lively place to live and work,” he said.
Among other benefits are enhanced MCC administration and service delivery, where e-Local Government (eLA2) services will see services such as renewal and payment of permits and licences available online.
The Smart Drain initiative too will be of great benefit to the people, especially in flash flood prone areas, whereby a special device will be installed at the affected drains to signal impending flash floods, giving affected residents more time to prepare, Yii said.
He thanked the state government for selecting Miri as the pilot project in Sarawak, adding the government had allocated RM9.5 million for the Smart City initiative.
The mayor is confident that although work on the project had been delayed by the Movement Control Order since March, it could still be completed in three months.
Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (Sains) is collaborating with MCC on the project implementation.