A COMPANY will be set up to coordinate and streamline the state’s smart city initiatives, said Penang Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo.
“Currently, Penang has many smart state initiatives implemented by various agencies, under different portfolios and state executive council (exco) members.
“The state has decided to place all the smart state initiatives under one umbrella body by setting up a corporation.
“A new enactment will have to be legislated by the Penang lawmakers for the formation of the corporation.
“We are not able to make it for the upcoming State Legislative Assembly sitting, which will be held on Nov 1,” Jagdeep told a press conference in Bishop Street today.
Jagdeep said while preparing for the next State Legislative Assembly sitting, a company would be set up to coordinate and streamline the smart city initiatives.
“The company, Digital Penang Corporation Sdn Bhd, will streamline all our smart initiatives and prepare the state for the 5G era.
“Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has been appointed as the chairman last week, while four state exco members have been appointed as members of the company.
“The appointed exco members are Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy, state Works, Utilities, and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari, Penang Domestic and International Trade, Consumer Affairs and Entrepreneur Development Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain and me.
“A few representatives from other agencies were also appointed as members of the company,” he added.
Jagdeep said the members of the steering committee would be appointed on Oct 2.
He also agreed with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who had said that many smart city players were working in silos, hindering smart city development as a whole.
“I agree with the Prime Minister’s statement that there is a glitch in the progress of smart cities,” he said.
Jagdeep added that it was a good acknowledgement for Penang when the Prime Minister said that Selangor and Penang were the two states to implement smart cities.
“We will continue our (smart) initiatives and efforts. One of them is the establishment of the Digital Penang Corporation,” he said.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis