Kuala lumpur: A total of 75 local authorities (PBTs) nationwide have received the Malaysia Smart City 2025 rating, in line with the government's aspirations to realise the Smart Nation vision by 2040. Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu announced that this recognition was based on smart city indicators under the Malaysia Standard (MS) ISO 37122:2019. These standards, focusing on sustainable cities and communities, outline 85 main indicators as the basis of the rating.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, as of October, 70 PBTs received a Level 1 rating (Smart City Early Adopter), four were recognised at Level 2 (Developing Smart City), and one achieved Level 3 (Leading Smart City). Aiman Athirah shared this information during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat, responding to Young Syefura Othman (PH-Bentong) who inquired about the government's objectives for PBTs to reach Leading Smart City and Level 4 Visionary Smart City ratings.

Aiman Athirah stated that the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) has set a strategic target for PBTs to progressively achieve higher rating levels, in alignment with the Malaysia Smart City Maturity Journey framework. Besides awarding certificates to PBTs that achieve the ratings, the government also offers incentives, including funding for smart city projects.

"In 2024, a total of RM5.2 million was channelled to 25 local authorities, while in 2025, RM8.8 million was relayed to 20 PBTs," she added. The funding supports various projects such as developing command centres, installing closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, smart traffic lights, smart street lighting, smart bins, smart poles, panic buttons, and smart pedestrian crosswalks.