Nanta: Malaysia integrates AI into transport systems to enhance road safety and efficiency
KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 — Malaysia continues to move forward in enhancing its road management by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) technology, thus increasing the efficiency, safety and effectiveness of road and infrastructure management.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said Malaysia is not only an observer of such technology but is currently among the countries implementing AI technology in road management.
'Through smart monitoring technologies like drones, sensors and the Internet of Things (IoT), we can detect road damage in real time. AI helps us analyse this data to identify locations that need immediate attention and to predict potential future damage
He said this when making a presentation on 'Malaysia's Future-Ready, Hyper-Connected Cities: Policies, Progress and the Path Ahead' at the 2025 Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Asia Pacific Forum in Suwon, South Korea today.
Nanta also shared the strategic direction of the Ministry of Works through the Malaysian ITS Roadmap 2030, which is driven by the vision to build safer, more connected and sustainable national mobility.
'The ITS is currently a basic requirement in the construction of future cities that are resilient, efficient and sustainable. The Malaysian ITS Roadmap 2030 being developed will be our main guide in transforming the country's ITS landscape,' he said.
He added that five core policy pillars would be the backbone of the implementation of the plan, namely hyperconnected transportation through seamless smart mobility, a pathway towards green and sustainable mobility, strengthened public services through the digitalisation of transportation, a safe and secure transport ecosystem and the use of data for mobility and transportation planning.
'All these plans can be translated into action. Malaysia will continue to innovate, invest and collaborate to build a country that is hyperconnected,' he said.
Nanta said many exciting revolutions are happening in the ITS landscape in Malaysia, including advancements in autonomous vehicles (AV), the use of electric vehicles in public transport, the introduction of the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) system and the establishment of the National Intelligent Traffic Management Centre (NITMC).
'These transformation initiatives illustrate Malaysia's strong commitment to building a safer, more efficient and sustainable transport ecosystem, in line with our broader vision towards hyperconnected cities,' he said. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Ringgit closes slightly higher on cautious sentiment
KUALA LUMPUR : The ringgit closed higher against the dollar today, as traders remain cautious ahead of US president Donald Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping's expected meeting this week, said an analyst. SPI Asset Management managing partner Stephen Innes said traders are slipping into a wait-and-see approach ahead of the Trump-Xi meeting, which could be a key factor in market risk for the rest of the week. 'Given that the US is the world's leading importer and China its largest exporter, their relationship could shift market sentiment in favour of the dollar, easing concerns about supply chain disruptions and imported inflation. 'This dynamic leaves emerging currencies like the ringgit in a reactive position – caught between two economic superpowers whose trade decisions heavily influence global pricing trends,' he told Bernama. At 6pm, the local note inched higher to 4.2425/4.2485 versus the greenback from last Friday's close of 4.2530/4.2605. At the close, the ringgit traded lower against a basket of major currencies. It slipped against the Japanese yen to 2.9695/2.9739 from Friday's close of 2.9531/2.9585, eased vis-a-vis the euro to 4.8415/4.8484 from 4.8169/4.8254, and depreciated against the British pound to 5.7337/5.7418 from 5.7284/5.7385 previously. The local note traded mixed against its Asean peers. It was slightly higher versus the Indonesian rupiah at 260.1/260.6 compared to 260.4/261.1 on Friday, and gained against the Philippine peso to 7.61/7.63 from 7.62/7.64 previously. However, it fell against the Singapore dollar to 3.2967/3.3016 from 3.2938/3.3002 on Friday and weakened vis-a-vis the Thai baht to 13.0334/13.0603 from 12.9507/12.9790 previously.
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Bursa ends lower amid US tariff concerns
KUALA LUMPUR : Bursa Malaysia erased early gains to close lower for the sixth consecutive day today, weighed down by selling pressure in regional emerging markets due to concerns over the ongoing US tariff conflict, said an analyst. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng said key regional indices closed mixed amid uncertainties surrounding US president Donald Trump's tariff war, prompting cautious investor behaviour. European equities slipped at the open due to weak sentiment and in anticipation of upcoming eurozone inflation figures. In contrast, markets in China and Hong Kong rallied on hopes of renewed US-China trade talks. On the domestic front, market sentiment remains subdued as investors adopt a wait-and-see stance amid ongoing foreign selling and escalating global trade uncertainties involving the US. The benchmark index is currently near its psychological 1,500 support level. 'Despite these challenges, we view this as an opportunity to pick up blue-chip stocks at lower prices due to their strong fundamentals, attractive valuations, and appealing dividend yields. 'As such, we anticipate the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) to trend within the 1,490-1,520 range for the week,' Thong told Bernama. Meanwhile, UOB Kay Hian Wealth Advisors Sdn Bhd head of investment research Sedek Jantan said market caution has intensified amid growing fears of a tariff-driven global slowdown and weakening external demand. Although the US has extended a pause on tariffs for certain Chinese goods until Aug 31, tensions have flared after Beijing rejected US accusations of breaching the existing tariff truce, instead blaming Washington for backtracking. 'A potential call between Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping this week may offer much-needed clarity on the future direction of trade relations,' he said. Locally, Malaysia's manufacturing purchasing managers' index edged up to 48.8 in May from April, but remained below the 50-point threshold, signalling continued contraction. 'Weak new orders and declining output reflect persistent demand weakness. 'As a trade-reliant economy, Malaysia remains vulnerable to global trade disruptions, with export-oriented sectors, particularly industrial products, technology, and small-cap stocks, most exposed to downside risks,' Sedek added. At 5pm, the FBM KLCI eased 5.10 points, or 0.33%, to 1,503.25 from last Friday's close of 1,508.35. The benchmark index opened 4.37 points higher at 1,512.72 and moved between 1,497.42 and 1,514.12 throughout the trading session. Market breadth was negative with decliners thumping gainers 705 to 297, while 423 counters were unchanged, 921 untraded and 15 suspended. Turnover fell to 3.04 billion units valued at RM2.20 billion compared with last Friday's 3.21 billion units worth RM5.04 billion. Bursa Malaysia was closed yesterday in conjunction with the official birthday of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim. Among the heavyweights, Petronas Chemicals dipped 14 sen to RM3.28, QL Resources fell 10 sen to RM4.40, IHH Healthcare eased 15 sen to RM6.75, Press Metal dropped nine sen to RM4.95, and Hong Leong Financial Group lost 28 sen to RM16.30. Among active stocks, Permaju Industries eased 0.5 sen to one sen, ACE Market debutant ICT Zone Asia, Tanco, and Harvest Miracle Capital were flat each at 20 sen, RM1 and 18 sen respectively, and MyEG slipped three sen to 89 sen. On the index board, the FBM Emas Index trimmed 45.35 points to 11,254.45, the FBMT 100 Index lost 38.28 points to 11,022.72, and the FBM ACE Index sank 69.22 points to 4,481.81. The FBM Emas Shariah Index decreased 46.10 points to 11,210.15, while the FBM 70 Index retreated 59.35 points to 16,142.16. Sector-wise, the financial services index slid 77.90 points to 17,762.63, the industrial products and services index shed 2.57 points to 150.08, and the energy index fell 9.08 points to 698.96, but the plantation index increased 11.03 points to 7,218.88. The Main Market volume declined to 1.21 billion units worth RM1.90 billion against Friday's 1.88 billion units valued at RM4.82 billion. Warrants turnover expanded to 1.50 billion units valued at RM201.92 million from 1 billion units worth RM111.49 million previously. The ACE Market volume advanced to 323.10 million shares worth RM94.99 million versus 318.43 million shares worth RM107.68 million on Friday. Consumer products and services counters accounted for 270.72 million shares traded on the Main Market, industrial products and services (184.66 million), construction (76.45 million), technology (139.98 million), SPAC (nil), financial services (85.81 million), property (164.11 million), plantation (29.49 million), REITs (11.64 million), closed/fund (3,400), energy (106.55 million), healthcare (57.20 million), telecommunications and media (43.34 million), transportation and logistics (18.57 million), utilities (31.21 million), and business trusts (20,700).
Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Traffic congestion will be managed as big projects roll out, says Penang CM
Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said it was likely that the Penang South Islands project, the Mutiara Line LRT and the construction of the Juru–Sungai Dua Elevated Highway would cause traffic congestion but this would only be temporary. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : The Penang government will implement effective traffic management strategies to minimise disruptions during the construction of upcoming large-scale projects, chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said today. Chow acknowledged that projects such as the Penang South Islands (PSI) development, the Mutiara Line LRT, and the Juru–Sungai Dua Elevated Highway might lead to temporary traffic congestion, but said this was an expected impact of the development, Bernama reported. 'Many years ago, when our team visited Gamuda in Kuala Lumpur, when they were implementing the LRT project, we were introduced to the various traffic management strategies and a programme that they managed at that time during the construction phase. 'I believe all contractors involved in these major projects in Penang will take traffic dispersal into account. 'The key consideration is to maintain the original number of lanes during construction. 'Even if parts of the road need to be closed to vehicles, additional space must be created to ensure that the same number of lanes remains available,' he said at the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Micci) Northern Annual Luncheon Dialogue 2025. With proper traffic management and patience from all road users, Chow was confident the state government would be able to mitigate the impact and make travelling more comfortable despite the congestion. He also confirmed that the Penang LRT project was expected to begin in the third quarter of this year, with completion projected within six to seven years, and that the Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Highway was scheduled to commence by the end of the year. When tabling the 2025 budget last October, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced several projects in Penang, including the Juru–Sungai Dua Elevated Highway, the Mutiara Line LRT, the expansion of Penang International Airport (LTAPP), and the Batu Kawan Industrial Park 3 project. The 29.5km Mutiara Line LRT will feature 21 stations and is designed to enhance connectivity between Penang Island and the mainland, reduce road congestion, and improve overall accessibility. Chow also noted that the state-led Penang South Islands (PSI) project was making progress, with 60.71ha of land already reclaimed over the past 18 months. He said the state government was awaiting 'good news' from the federal government regarding incentive packages for potential purchasers of the land for industrial development. PSI, or Silicon Island, covering a land area of 930.78ha, is a reclamation project owned by the Penang government.
