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THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) will now have real time data intervention in its administration of the island with the formal launching of the Virtual Island of Penang (VIP) online module.
Launched by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, the digital model will be powered by Artificial Intelligence, satellite images and real time big data computation to help the council ensure effective governance of the city.
Chow made public a flagship initiative by MBPP's digitalisation services, which is aimed at enhancing public service delivery and consolidating its status as a smart city.
In the past, digitalisation was more for complementing work but now MBPP will have real time data to allow its staffers to make informed decisions on areas such as geotechnical slopes, tree inventory, street inspections as well as latest weather and disaster reaction updates.
Chow expects the VIP to make MBPP react faster and more effective to issues plaguing the ratepayers, especially in climate change challenges such as flash flooding and landslides.
The VIP system, comprising 10 integrated smart modules, was developed progressively over the past years through internal expertise and external collaborations by the council, guided by its president Datuk Anthony Rajendran, who is also the island's Lord Mayor.
Rajendran said the VIP initiative reflects the council’s long-term vision to address urban challenges through digital transformation.
“Today, we are witnessing the official launch of an initiative that enhances MBPP’s service delivery to the people and charts our path towards becoming a smart city."
Urbanisation in Malaysia has reached nearly 80%, and in Penang, 93% of residents live in urban areas following the rezoning recently of localities.
Chow revealed that among the pioneering data systems are the geotechnical slope monitoring and control Module, designed to detect soil and slope movements, enabling predictive intervention before landslides emerge.
Rajendran also revealed that efforts are underway to enhance CCTV surveillance systems with advanced features, including speed detection, vehicle type analysis, volume tracking, and number plate recognition.
While not all modules are accessible to the public due to security and technical considerations, certain features such as disaster monitoring and the location of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) across the island are available via pearl apps.
MBPP has invested approximately RM30 million into the development of smart city initiatives since 2020 with a digitalisation mapping of the island covering every building, road and trees.
“Penang is not only the first in Malaysia, possibly in the region, to develop modules with specialised features such as weather monitoring and disaster management, geotechnical slope monitoring and control, and a tree inventory and inspection module,” said Rajendran.
Among those present to witness the event at the Royale Chulan Hotel were Deputy Chief Minister Jagdeep Singh Deo, state executive councillors Zairil Khir Johari and Jason H'ng Mooi Lye as well as department directors of MBPP. - October 3, 2025.