Data centre framework key to harnessing tech and AI, says Gobind

New Straits Times

22-07-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: The Digital Ministry has underscored the need for structured data management and integration across government agencies.
This, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said, was key to fully harnessing technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and enhancing the delivery of citizen-friendly government services.
Gobind said each government agency generates data, but must ensure that this data can be digitised.
He said data exists in various formats, digital, analogue, visual and audio and must be digitised to be integrated effectively.
"To use data meaningfully, we require computer power. That's where data centres and cloud infrastructure come in. We are adopting a cloud-first policy, which will allow us to deploy new technologies faster and at scale.
"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," in a press conference after attending a tour of the Kuala Lumpur Command & Control Centre here today.
Present was Kuala Lumpur City Hall Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif.
Gobind said while some states have already developed their own digital twin technologies, efforts were now underway to consolidate them into a single national digital twin framework that will benefit all states and ministries.
He said his current focus was on consolidating existing assets, harnessing available strengths, and determining the most effective way forward to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
"At the Digital Ministry, particularly under MDEC (Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation), we are developing this forward-looking strategy.
"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," he said.
Gobind said the government also intends to establish a National Smart Nation Centre, bringing together initiatives from across the country.
This comes ahead of the Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur 2025, set to take place from Sept 17 to 19, marking the first time the global event, usually hosted in Barcelona, will be held in Malaysia.
He said that it will serve as a platform to gather the brightest talents and tech companies involved in smart technologies, with Kuala Lumpur as this year's showcase.
On Kuala Lumpur's progress, Maimunah said City Hall's ongoing digital twin project allows for simulations of urban development, enabling authorities to forecast traffic congestion, estimate carbon emissions based on materials used and evaluate land use proposals.
She said DBKL's KLCCC was already leveraging real-time data and sensor systems to implement green wave traffic management and improve flood response.
"In the past, enforcement officers had to stand at flood-prone hotspots during heavy rains.
"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," she said.