KUCHING: Sarawak’s approach to smart city development must be interpreted based on local realities, inclusivity and long-term sustainability, rather than adopting external standards wholesale, in order to ensure meaningful benefits for the people.

Sarawak Deputy Premier and Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Amar Profesor Dr Sim Kui Hian, said this when officiating the launch of the ESG Smart Poles pilot project at Kuching SouthCityCouncil (MBKS) on Saturday, describing the initiative as part of Sarawak’s broader nation-building agenda.

He said Sarawak’s development framework emphasises digitalisation, smart technology, sustainability and shared prosperity under the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, with a strong focus on ensuring that progress benefits all segments of society.

Datuk Amar Dr Sim stressed that concepts such as Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) must be applied in a Sarawak context, noting that while Sarawak is net zero and contributes significantly to forest conservation, it continues to be affected by climate change.

He added that climate action should focus on protecting human lives and quality of life, rather than remaining at the level of global rhetoric, as extreme temperatures and environmental changes directly impact public health.

Touching on smart city initiatives, Datuk Amar Dr Sim said projects such as ESG Smart Poles, smart traffic lights, smart cameras and command centres demonstrate Sarawak’s commitment to using technology to enhance public health, safety and daily living.

He noted that real-time air quality monitoring empowers the public to make informed decisions for their own wellbeing, while encouraging greater personal responsibility and healthier habits among city residents.

“We want Kuching residents to be smart users who know how to use information and technology for their own health benefits,” he said.

Datuk Amar Dr Sim also highlighted Sarawak’s early adoption of smart infrastructure, citing the introduction of smart traffic lights in Kuching as early as 2016, with about 70 per cent of traffic lights now upgraded, reflecting the importance of continuity and long-term planning in governance.

He described the launch of the ESG Smart Poles as timely and significant, adding that Kuching South City Council (MBKS) is on track to become one of the first city councils in Malaysia to achieve UNICEF Child Friendly City status, reinforcing the city’s commitment to inclusive, people-first urban development.

The ESG Smart Poles pilot project forms part of broader efforts to integrate technology, environmental responsibility and public health into Sarawak’s vision of a smart, sustainable and liveable city. -UKASnews

Reporter: Alezxandria Kapple
Photographer: Alezxandria Kapple & Muhammad Ramzani