Latest news with #UrbanObservatory
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
MDEC: AI Cities will be cornerstone of Malaysia's digital future
KUALA LUMPUR: As Malaysia advances in its digital evolution, artificial intelligence-driven cities are taking centre stage – serving as dynamic hubs to attract investment, foster groundbreaking innovation and create equitable economic opportunities for all. Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) CEO Anuar Fariz Fadzil shared the agency's blueprint for transforming Malaysia from a regional technology hub into a globally respected digital economy over the next decade. 'Looking 10 years ahead, we see a Malaysia where AI integrates seamlessly into daily life, enabling equitable access to tools and opportunities. This future is about making cities more sustainable, citizen-centric, and competitive,' he told SunBiz. Anuar Fariz said this vision entails the responsible integration of AI, providing predictive and efficient public services and creating thriving smart cities that are both sustainable and people-focused. 'Startups and SMEs will scale beyond borders, supported by robust infrastructure that drives inclusive, digital-led prosperity.' Building on MDEC's mandate to catalyse high-value digital growth and position Malaysia as a regional technology leader, Anuar Fariz said, AI Cities will be the cornerstone of the transformation. 'It will unite digital policy, innovation and public service to drive inclusive, competitive and sustainable growth, laying the foundation for Malaysia's vision of becoming an 'AI Nation',' he said. Anuar Fariz said this vision not only elevates Malaysia's leadership in AI development and adoption but also creates a scalable model for Asean, fostering cross-border collaboration, knowledge exchange, and regional digital resilience. 'Through partnerships across the public, private, academic sectors, and the rakyat, Malaysia aims to amplify its impact across Southeast Asia's digital economy.' As part of its AI Cities initiative, MDEC is already implementing targeted, high-impact smart city pilots in selected locations, starting with Putrajaya. 'In Putrajaya, we are applying parametric modelling to simulate real-world urban scenarios. This allows us to test and refine planning decisions, improve service delivery, and optimise resource use,' Anuar Fariz said. He added that data from Putrajaya's Urban Observatory is being used to develop an interactive AI-powered digital avatar capable of delivering real-time analytics for city planning and citizen engagement. MDEC is also working closely with the National Artificial Intelligence Office (NAIO) to ensure that Malaysia's AI growth is underpinned by strong governance and public trust. 'Trust is the foundation of digital adoption. Together with NAIO, we are developing a regulatory brief to guide the responsible use of AI, one that balances innovation with transparency, ethics and accountability,' Anuar Fariz said. These initiatives support Malaysia's broader goals outlined in the Fourth National Physical Plan, Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint, Asean Smart Cities Network and the upcoming 13th Malaysia Plan (2026–2030). Anuar Fariz said MDEC's goal is to catalyse future-facing, collaborative ecosystems where technology serves both people and progress. 'By embedding intelligence into how our cities are designed, managed and experienced, we're not only building a smarter Malaysia, we're laying the foundation for a resilient, inclusive and competitive digital nation that can lead the region,' he added. MDEC's vision will take centre stage at the Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur 2025 (SCEKL25), which will be held from Sept 17 to 19 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Themed 'AI Cities: Shaping Our Digital Future', the event will serve as a platform for regional dialogue, innovation exchange and policy alignment with Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship this year. 'As the first Southeast Asian edition of the globally renowned Smart City Expo World Congress, SCEKL25 will position Malaysia as a central hub for smart city development and digital leadership in the region,' Anuar Fariz said. The expo will bring together more than 2,000 delegates and 10,000 visitors, including global experts, city leaders and technology providers across sectors. The agenda is built around four strategic pillars – AI cities, sustainable and resilient cities, digital entrepreneurship and economic development, and community empowerment through digital solutions. SCEKL25 will also feature keynote sessions by renowned global figures, including Dr David Hanson, creator of Sophia the Robot, urban strategist Dr Alfonso Vegara and futurist Penny Wong, among others. 'These conversations will help shape the next decade of digital city-building, not just in Malaysia, but across Asean,' said Anuar Fariz.
Times of Oman
01-03-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Plans to create 300–400 jobs in the real estate sector
Muscat: The Oman Real Estate Association has announced plans to organise a real estate conference and exhibition as part of the upcoming Dhofar Autumn Festival activities. The announcement was made during the association's annual meeting attended by association members, officials from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, real estate sector stakeholders, and members of the media. During the meeting, the association revealed plans to collaborate with a consulting firm to conduct a study on the impact of value-added tax (VAT) on real estate trading. The event also included discussions on updates in the real estate sector, challenges in property financing, and initiatives aimed at diversifying housing options and facilitating access for citizens. These measures aim to sustain the positive impact on the sector. The Ministry of Housing confirmed its intention to launch an initiative that will create 300 to 400 job opportunities in the real estate sector, further promoting growth and development in the industry. In his speech, Engineer Khalid bin Nasser Al-Mahrouqi, Director General of Real Estate Development at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, stated that the ministry will launch a new data platform to guide real estate investors, with the initial phase providing limited information. He pointed out that the Development Platform is the mechanism for dealing with all developers in Oman, and the Oman Real Estate Association has played a role in raising awareness among developers. Any developer selling off-plan without opening an escrow account will be considered as a violation and referred to the public prosecution. Al-Mahrouqi also highlighted the presence of hidden trade in the real estate development sector, with more than 500 companies operating without being registered with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning or the Oman Real Estate Association, leading to many cases in the courts. He confirmed that more than 900 homeowners' associations are registered in Oman, which is a positive indicator, though 20% of them face issues. Efforts are ongoing to correct the situation concerning homeowners' associations. Ali Al-Issaei, Secretary of the Real Estate Registry at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, explained that the Urban Observatory is a set of data that helps decision-makers and planners. The tasks assigned to real estate brokerage offices are part of an initiative to transfer real estate registry work related to documentation to these offices in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour, which is expected to create 300–400 jobs across Oman. Al-Issaei noted that the scale of real estate development currently witnessed in Oman is a new experience compared to other countries, and the Real Estate Regulatory Law has now reached the State Council. This law was formulated with the participation of all parties and is open to consensus on the executive regulation of the law. There is a need for awareness to overcome challenges in the real estate sector, with parts of the regulation focusing on valuation and real estate brokerage. There is a move to make real estate brokerage governed and evaluated, with significant opportunities for Omanis in valuation offices. Al-Issaei added that there are institutes providing valuation certificates to trainees, and the upcoming phase will involve governance of the real estate sector and exploring job opportunities for Omanis in this field. In response to a question about fraud in the sector, he confirmed that the ministry can establish controls to reduce fraud in the real estate sector. Dr. Matar Al-Buraiki, Director of Homeowners' Associations at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, stated that the ministry will implement new procedures to reduce developers' dominance over homeowners' associations and facilitate smooth elections for these associations. This meeting is part of a series of events organised by the Oman Real Estate Association aimed at regulating the real estate market, addressing the challenges faced by professionals in the sector, and finding ways to overcome them to achieve the aspirations of this vital sector.
