By FARA AISYAH

The Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) and Frost & Sullivan (M) Sdn Bhd inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya yesterday to collaborate on the design, development and implementation of the Iskandar Malaysia Urban Observatory (IMUO).

The development plan includes the preparation and publication of IMUO World Class Reports and Smart City Iskandar Malaysia (SCIM).

Frost & Sullivan Malaysia MD Hazmi Yusof said that the company has been advocating smart cities as a global mega trend that will shape people’s lives.

“We are excited to be able to play a part in the development and realisation of SCIM. We are confident that our expertise and experience in various smart cities planning and implementation globally will contribute in making SCIM a success,” he said in a statement yesterday.

SCIM was endorsed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak on Nov 1, 2014, at the second inter-session of Global Science and Innovation Advisory Council meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

A mandate was given to the attending ministers to venture into smart-related projects which will be based in Iskandar Malaysia, as part of the effort towards recognising the Iskandar region as a pilot for Smart City projects in Malaysia.

SCIM’s framework focuses on three areas which are economy, environment and social. It also promotes six dimensions including smart economy, smart governance, smart environment, smart mobility, smart people and smart living.

A total of 35 programmes have been identified which fit ideally into the dimensions. These programmes are guidance for IRDA to work with potential investors and players, such as Frost & Sullivan, to identify suitable projects for SCIM.

Apart from Frost & Sullivan, IRDA also signed MoUs with Telekom Malaysia Bhd, Esri Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia which were witnessed by Najib and Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who are both co-chairmen of IRDA.

IRDA CEO Datuk Ismail Ibrahim said the MoUs represent collaborations towards implementing a few components as Iskandar Malaysia is currently in its third phase of development (2016-2025), focusing on sustainability and innovation in line with the Iskandar Malaysia Comprehensive Development Plan II.

“These commitments in Iskandar Malaysia to collaborate together towards achieving Iskandar Malaysia’s vision of becoming a strong and sustainable metropolis of international standing through evidence-based spatial planning and policy making.

“Iskandar Malaysia is on track to become the leading smart region within Asean,” Ismail said in a statement.