Malaysia Accelerates Smart Mobility, Digital Infrastucture To Strengthen Road Network - Nanta

KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is stepping up the use of smart mobility technologies and digital infrastructure management to strengthen its road network and support sustainable economic growth.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the country is shifting from a traditional approach focused solely on building and expanding roads to a more efficient, integrated and data-driven mobility management model.

Speaking at Intertraffic Amsterdam, one of the world’s leading mobility and infrastructure exhibitions, Nanta said the new approach combines engineering expertise, digital technology and public participation to ensure more effective traffic and infrastructure management.

He said rapid urbanisation and economic growth across Southeast Asia are driving the need for smarter infrastructure management.

“Across Southeast Asia, infrastructure development is expanding rapidly. The real challenge is not whether infrastructure will continue to grow - it certainly will - but how we manage it more intelligently,” he said in a statement today.

Nanta said Malaysia currently maintains nearly 296,000 kilometres of roads, one of the largest networks in Southeast Asia, supported by more than 5,000 kilometres of highways linking major cities, ports and economic corridors nationwide.

He said economic growth continues to fuel rising mobility demand, with Malaysia recording 1.57 million new vehicle registrations in 2024 alone, which is equivalent to about 4,300 vehicles entering the roads daily.

To address the increasing pressure, he said the ministry is expanding the use of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and integrated digital platforms to enhance traffic monitoring, optimise traffic flow and strengthen road safety.

Public participation also plays an important role in the country’s smart mobility ecosystem through the MYJalan mobile app, which enables the public to report road damage and safety issues directly to authorities.

“Since its launch, the platform has received more than 54,000 public reports, with over 90 per cent successfully resolved, enabling authorities to respond more quickly to infrastructure issues nationwide,” he said.

Nanta said that Malaysia is also strengthening infrastructure governance through the National Construction Information Platform, which integrates construction data, regulatory information and project monitoring systems to support more efficient planning and asset management.

He said major infrastructure projects such as the Pan Borneo Highway, spanning more than 2,000 kilometres across Sabah and Sarawak, are improving logistics connectivity while creating greater economic opportunities in East Malaysia.

At the same time, under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), the government plans to build and upgrade more than 2,800 kilometres of rural roads to enhance connectivity for communities in small towns and agricultural areas.

“This is what we mean when we talk about humanising engineering. Ensuring infrastructure development genuinely improves daily lives and connects Malaysians to opportunities,” he said.

With Southeast Asia’s urban population projected to exceed 400 million by 2030, Nanta said Malaysia is positioning itself as a regional hub for smart mobility innovation and infrastructure technology.

“Simply building more infrastructure is no longer enough. The future lies in developing infrastructure that is smarter, safer, more efficient and more sustainable,” he said.

Malaysia previously announced its participation in Intertraffic Amsterdam 2026 for the first time and was the only ASEAN country to receive an official invitation to the prestigious event held at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre from March 9 to 12.

-- BERNAMA