- AI, data integration, and a digital twin are reshaping how DBKL runs KL
- 5000+ CCTVs, predictive analytics and AI drive KL’s smarter, safer city vision
Kuala Lumpur is stepping into the future, using artificial intelligence (AI) to transform itself into a smarter, safer, and more livable city. At the heart of this effort is the Kuala Lumpur Command & Control Centre (KLCCC) in Bukit Jalil, which is fully owned and managed by Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) or City Hall.
It now has strong support from the Ministry of Digital, which facilitates the development and coordination of similar command centres in other cities across Malaysia with an eventual larger, and ambitious, target of creating a digital twin for Malaysia.
During a visit in July to the KLCCC, Gobind Singh, Minister of Digital, who was accompanied by Maimunah Sharif, Kuala Lumpur Mayor, said, “AI is accelerating the modernization of the city’s infrastructure and services, boosting efficiency, and ultimately enhancing the quality of life for its residents.”
Mohamed Hamim (pic, below), Executive Director of DBKL said the KLCCC acts as “the city’s central nervous system, monitoring, managing, and disseminating urban information for effective governance and constant situational awareness of traffic, public safety, and emergencies.”
In the real world of running a busy and dynamic city, AI is not a magic bullet with Hamim stressing that the KLCCC’s effectiveness is amplified through collaboration with several partners, ensuring a rapid response to urban challenges. These include:
- Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT KL)
- Criminal Investigation Department (JSJ IPK KL)
- Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM KL)
- Malaysian Highway Authority and Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS)
- DBKL’s own enforcement teams
- Radio broadcasters and the media
These alliances enable real-time information exchange and collaborative operations across critical services, from traffic enforcement to emergency management.
Smart cities pave way to a smart nation – with a digital twin of Malaysia
Gobind recognises the value that can be created from weaving all the smart city initiatives in the country into a national synergy, and the challenges. “By and large, the question is of how we bring it all together and look at building a national strategy. That while we are focused on building a smart city, we are also working on building a smart nation.”
The end goal is ambitious to say the least. In separate comments to Digital News Asia, Gobind said one key goal was the development of a digital twin for Malaysia which will build on the respective smart city command centre infrastructures of the various states in Malaysia with no duplication of resources, he stressed.
Maimunah concurred on the value that can be created with a strategy that results in a national digital twin. “While several states are developing their own digital twins, the plan, via the National Smart Nation Centre, is to unify these into a national digital twin framework that benefits the entire country.”
One area of concern is that, while Gobind states a desire to see the creation of a digital twin for the country, there is a lack of firm commitment in the just released 13th Malaysia Plan document which lays out the nation’s strategic economic direction over the next five years.
While a National Digital Twin Master Plan is mentioned, there is no budget allocation or definite timeline for its execution with only a vague statement about the digital twin used as a ‘virtual sandbox’, enhanced to support simulation. Hopefully, feedback from the Digital Ministry will see this master plan strengthened with targeted outcomes and an appropriate budget to execute the strategies to reach the targets.
Meanwhile, the early experience of DBKL with its Digital Twin offers a window into the value of developing a digital twin for the entire country. DBKL’s digital twin, aimed at creating a real-time digital replica of the city, encompasses traffic and transportation; infrastructure and utilities; urban environment and climate; urban design planning; public safety, and socio-economic planning.
Maimunah explained how this helps with smarter decision-making. “We can predict traffic jams, estimate carbon emissions from building materials, and even evaluate how new developments will affect land use.”
[Ed: As of time of publishing, DBKL has not responded to questions regarding how it built its own digital twin or for specific examples of how it has used this data on traffic jams and carbon emissions to benefit the city and its dwellers.]
Longer term Maimunah explained, “We are looking at a strategy for a smart nation in 2030, bringing together all the existing data and seeing what technology is needed in the future and ensuring that we are ready, not only in each state as it is now, but also in the whole of Malaysia.”
Laying the digital groundwork
To power all this, solid digital infrastructure is essential, which in this era of AI means having powerful data centres and cloud-based computing power. Gobind stressed, “To harness AI meaningfully, we require computer power. That’s where data centres and cloud infrastructure come in.”
Malaysia is already committed to adopting a cloud-first policy, which is a strategic initiative in its Feb 2021 launched MyDigital Blueprint to help roll out new tech faster. A national data centre framework, led by the Digital Ministry’s Data Centre Task Force (DCTF) is in the works and expected to launch by October 2025. The DCTF is a committee to bring together relevant aspects when the ministry receives applications for data centres.
“We must ensure that data sharing is seamless, and to do that, the data must be digitised, securely stored and supported by adequate compute capacity,” said Gobind. (pic)
AI transforming KL’s city operations
Another cornerstone of KL’s transformation is its AI-powered traffic management system. By processing real-time footage and applying intelligent analytics, the system detects incidents like accidents or illegal parking and adjusts traffic signals dynamically to improve flow.
Gobind said, “These tools represent how AI can deliver immediate and practical benefits to urban governance.” He added that they are vital “in also sourcing data, visuals and analytics when managing post traffic incidents.”
AI is also being used to handle environmental challenges. Maimunah shared how real-time flood alerts and river level data from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage now help DBKL and Alam Flora plan better clean-up and flood responses.
“In the past, enforcement officers had to stand at flood-prone hotspots during heavy rains,” she said. “Today, we rely on real-time flood warnings and river level data from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, which also gets shared with Alam Flora for cleanup readiness. All this significantly reduces operational costs and improves efficiency at DBKL.”
A journey guided by Smart City Master Plan (2021–2025)
While Gobind supports the national development of command centres, KLCCC is not part of any federal initiative. The project is developed and funded by DBKL, with no direct collaboration or financial support from the Digital Ministry, Gobind explained, when asked if his ministry was contributing financially to the project.
Rather, Kuala Lumpur’s smart city journey is guided by its Smart City Master Plan (2021–2025). The plan focuses on seven key areas: Smart Economy, Smart Living, Smart Environment, Smart People, Smart Government, Smart Mobility, and Smart Digital Infrastructure.
DBKL explains that these pillars reflect a commitment to creating a city that’s dynamic, inclusive, and built to last. It’s where technology and urban planning work hand in hand to meet the social, economic, and environmental needs of the people.
Inside the KL Command & Control Centre
“KLCCC began as the Integrated Transport Information System (ITIS) in 2005,” said Mohamed, noting that it was “a project costing US$86.76 million (RM365 million),” originally equipped with “225 CCTV and 140 VMS (variable message signage) units.” Since then, he added, “it evolved into KLCCC in 2021,” transforming into “a comprehensive integrated control center.”
Today, there are more than 5,000 CCTV cameras installed throughout Kuala Lumpur, monitored and managed by the KLCCC. These are complemented by VMS, panic buttons, and loudspeakers. Looking ahead, another 5,000 CCTV units are planned for deployment in 2026.
[Ed: As of time of publishing, DNA’s questions over the total cost of the initiative to date has not been answered by DBKL.]
“The centre is staffed by a team of 71, comprising seven Civil Engineers, 15 Electrical/Electronics Engineers, 23 Information Technology staff, and 26 administrative staff,” he said.
The KLCCC functions as a high-tech Integrated Operation Centre (IOC), built on seven key pillars:
- Data Integration: Connecting systems, apps, and devices into one shared data platform.
- Situational Awareness: Real-time alerts for incidents like accidents or traffic jams.
- Communication & Collaboration: Efficient sharing of images, videos, and information across agencies.
- Analytics & Reporting: Automated reports and dashboards to inform decision-making.
- Command & Control: SOPs to handle incidents quickly and effectively.
- Security & Access Control: Tight security including facial recognition.
- Redundancy & Resilience: Backup systems to keep operations running during disruptions.
A people-centric smart city
While technology drives the infrastructure, the human element remains front and center in Kuala Lumpur’s smart city mission.
“AI and digital solutions should always serve people,” Maimunah said. “Our goal is to build a city that is not only smarter, but also inclusive and responsive to everyone’s needs.” She noted that AI adoption is already easing traffic, streamlining emergency services, and enhancing daily life for residents.
Gobind echoed the sentiment: “If we build on our strengths, prepare for the future, ensure secure systems, and build public trust, I believe we will be well on our way to realising Malaysia Digital 2030.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
