JOHOR BARU: Johor’s ambitious Smart City agenda is gaining international traction, with participants from Singapore, Korea, Indonesia, Brunei and Thailand set to join the Johor Smart City Forum (JSCF) 2025 in September.
For the first time, the forum will feature an Asean, an international, and a national dialogue involving state leaders responsible for urban and local government, aimed at sharing strategies and strengthening collaboration on smart city development.
Johor Local Government and Housing Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said the state was entering a decisive phase of its Smart City Blueprint 2030, with 90 per cent of 55 pilot projects already completed.
“This shows the government’s strong commitment to ensure the smart city agenda remains a priority for Johor’s development,” he said at the pre-launch of JSCF 2025 in Kulai today.
He added that seven more local councils – including Muar, Pontian, Kota Tinggi, Mersing, Simpang Renggam, Labis and Yong Peng – would launch their own Smart City Action Plans at the forum, making Johor one of the earliest states in the country with comprehensive local-level smart city blueprints.
On the national front, Jafni said all 16 local authorities in Johor had been mandated to join the Housing and Local Government Ministry’s Smart City Rating programme under the National Smart City Platform this year.
“Johor has set a three-tier target – eight councils as early adopters, seven as developing smart cities, and Johor Baru City Council positioned as a leading smart city,” he said.
The three-day JSCF 2025, to be held at Persada Johor International Convention Centre from Sept 22 to 24, will feature more than 40 exhibitions, technology showcases, forums, robotics competitions and the Smart City Awards.
Admission will be free to the public.
The Johor Smart City Blueprint 2030, launched in June 2023, outlines 29 policies, 54 strategies and 111 projects to guide agencies and stakeholders in transforming Johor into a fully-fledged smart state by the end of the decade.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
