DBKL Uses AI and Digital Twin to Build a Smarter Malaysia
DBKL Uses AI and Digital Twin to Build a Smarter Malaysia
According to Digital News Asia, Kuala Lumpur is advancing its smart city vision with artificial intelligence (AI), predictive analytics, and more than 5,000 CCTV cameras managed by the Kuala Lumpur Command & Control Centre (KLCCC) in Bukit Jalil. Fully owned and managed by Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL), the centre traces back to the Integrated Transport Information System (ITIS) launched in 2005, which cost US$86.76 million (RM365 million) and included 225 CCTV and 140 variable message signage units.
The KLCCC now acts as the city’s “central nervous system,” says Mohamed Hamim, DBKL’s Executive Director, overseeing traffic, safety, and emergency operations. Supported by the Ministry of Digital, the initiative is also part of a broader goal to create a national digital twin. Minister Gobind Singh noted that AI is modernizing urban infrastructure, while Mayor Maimunah Sharif highlighted its value in predicting traffic jams, tracking carbon emissions, and planning land use.
National Digital Twin Vision
Gobind Singh explained that while Malaysia is building smart cities, the ultimate aim is to build a smart nation through a unified national digital twin framework. Several states are already developing their own digital twins, and the plan is to link these via the National Smart Nation Centre. However, the 13th Malaysia Plan currently provides no dedicated budget or timeline for execution, only referencing the digital twin as a “virtual sandbox.” According to Digital News Asia, this raises concerns over how quickly the strategy can be realised.
DBKL’s Digital Twin in Action
DBKL’s own digital twin covers multiple domains, including traffic and transportation, infrastructure and utilities, the urban environment and climate, urban design and planning, public safety, and socio-economic development. Maimunah noted that this enables smarter decision-making such as estimating traffic congestion, calculating emissions, and evaluating land use impacts.
Partnerships play a key role, with KLCCC linked to the Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department, Criminal Investigation Department, Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department, Malaysian Highway Authority, Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), DBKL’s enforcement teams, and local broadcasters. These alliances ensure real-time information exchange for traffic enforcement, emergency response, and public safety.
AI, Flood Control, and Cloud Infrastructure
AI-powered traffic management allows the system to detect accidents, illegal parking, and congestion, while dynamically adjusting signals. Gobind Singh emphasised that such tools provide immediate benefits and critical post-incident analysis.
AI is also applied to environmental challenges, such as floods. Real-time river-level monitoring and alerts from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage are shared with Alam Flora, enabling quicker cleanup response and reducing operational costs.
To sustain this, Gobind highlighted the need for strong data infrastructure. Malaysia’s cloud-first policy, under the MyDigital Blueprint, is being advanced by the Digital Ministry’s Data Centre Task Force (DCTF), which is expected to finalise a national framework. This ensures seamless and secure data sharing, with sufficient compute power to harness AI effectively.
Inside the Kuala Lumpur Command & Control Centre
Since evolving into KLCCC in 2021, the centre has expanded to more than 5,000 CCTV cameras, supported by VMS, panic buttons, and loudspeakers. Another 5,000 CCTV units are planned for 2026. The centre is staffed by 71 specialists, including 7 Civil Engineers, 15 Electrical/Electronic Engineers, 23 IT personnel, and 26 administrative staff.
The KLCCC operates on seven integrated pillars: data integration, situational awareness, collaboration, analytics and reporting, command and control, security and access (including facial recognition), and redundancy to ensure resilience.
Towards Malaysia Digital 2030
DBKL’s smart city journey is guided by its Smart City Master Plan (2021–2025), which focuses on Smart Economy, Smart Living, Smart Environment, Smart People, Smart Government, Smart Mobility, and Smart Digital Infrastructure.
While the KLCCC is funded solely by DBKL with no direct federal contribution, it serves as a model of how smart city infrastructure can scale. Gobind Singh stated that building secure systems and earning public trust will be essential for Malaysia to achieve its Malaysia Digital 2030 vision. Maimunah added that AI should always serve people, making Kuala Lumpur not just smarter, but also more inclusive and responsive.
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About Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL)
Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL), or Kuala Lumpur City Hall, is the local authority responsible for governing Malaysia’s capital. It manages urban planning, public housing, licensing, health, waste management, and infrastructure. DBKL also oversees smart city initiatives such as the Kuala Lumpur Command & Control Centre (KLCCC), which integrates AI, CCTV networks, and data systems to improve traffic, safety, and urban services. The agency operates under the Ministry of Federal Territories but is autonomous in many city functions. DBKL plays a key role in sustainability, urban development, and the creation of Kuala Lumpur’s digital twin model.
About Ministry of Digital (Malaysia)
The Ministry of Digital is Malaysia’s government body tasked with advancing digital transformation nationwide. It develops frameworks for AI, data centres, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure. Through initiatives such as the MyDigital Blueprint and the National Smart Nation Centre, the ministry aims to unify state-level smart city efforts into a national digital twin strategy. Led by Minister Gobind Singh, the ministry promotes cloud-first policies, seamless data sharing, and compute capacity to power AI adoption. It also coordinates the Data Centre Task Force (DCTF) to regulate and accelerate investments in digital infrastructure across Malaysia, supporting Malaysia Digital 2030 goals.
About Kuala Lumpur Command & Control Centre (KLCCC)
The Kuala Lumpur Command & Control Centre (KLCCC) is a high-tech facility in Bukit Jalil, operated by DBKL, that serves as the city’s central nervous system. Originating from the Integrated Transport Information System (ITIS) in 2005, KLCCC has grown to manage over 5,000 CCTV cameras, with 5,000 more planned. It integrates data from traffic, safety, and emergency services, providing real-time monitoring, analytics, and AI-powered insights. Staffed by engineers, IT experts, and administrators, KLCCC supports predictive traffic management, flood alerts, and public safety. It is a key enabler of Kuala Lumpur’s smart city Master Plan and Malaysia’s broader digital twin ambitions.
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