By Laura Jane
SMART city initiative is part of the state government’s efforts to improve local authority services for city dwellers through digital technology.
Miri which has been chosen as the first city to be shaped by selective usage of technology in its administration and management saw the initiative being launched on April 21, 2021 billed as ‘Miri Smart City — Proof of Concept’.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg who officiated at the launching expressed his confidence that the smart-city development would close the gap between the city council and city dwellers.
“Miri is the first smart city in the state and if the concept proves to be efficient it would be extended to other major cities in Sarawak.
“We might extend the applications to other cities in Sarawak when it is clear that they can help the city council improve people’s lives. We will start with Kuching, followed by Sibu and Bintulu,” he said.
The smart city involves city council improving efficiency through the automation of basic amenities.
Among the amenities are smart traffic lights, smart public transport, smart city’s panic button as well as 5G internet connectivity.
Another infrastructure development by GPS in urban areas is the construction of the Sungai Sarawak-Sejingkat Bridge that will connect Kuching and Samarahan and Sarawak government has allocated RM370 million for its construction.
The announcement was made on May 2021, and work is estimated to be completed in four years. The bridge would span 1.3km across Sungai Sarawak, with a vertical clearance of 26m.
According to Assistant Minister of Infrastructure and Ports Development Datuk Julaihi Narawi, the project is part of a package aiming to ease traffic congestion on the Kuching-Samarahan expressway.
“Construction has begun, with the contractors in the process of building the approach road. The other projects involve the upgrading of Jalan Tanjung Bako and the new road heading towards the Samarahan Bridge,” he said.
Meanwhile, to ease the traffic congestion along the Kuching-Samarahan expressway, the state government is continuing the project to equip the five roundabouts with smart traffic light systems in July 1 this year.
The project was to have commenced in October 2022 but had to be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Previously, the project said to cost about RM47 million was expected to be completed in 15 months, which is by October 2023.
The roundabouts to be converted with smart traffic light systems are the Setia Raja–Samarahan (near Stutong Community Market), Stutong–Samarahan (Tabuan Tranquility), ILP / LKIM Interchange, Sarawak Heart Centre–Samarahan Interchange and Unimas–Samarahan Interchange.
