Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Malaysia is embarking on an ambitious journey to develop "smart highways" across the nation, partnering with South Korea's renowned Korea Expressway Corporation (KEC). This significant collaboration was highlighted by Malaysian Minister of Works, Alexander Nanta Linggi, following his participation in the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Asia-Pacific Forum held in South Korea on May 27th (local time), as reported by the Selangor Journal.

Minister Linggi expressed his profound admiration for KEC's advanced capabilities. "I was deeply impressed by the Korea Expressway Corporation's comprehensive use of technology in managing highways, prioritizing the safety of commuters, and considering environmental sustainability," he stated. He further emphasized the transformative potential of Korean innovation, noting, "Korea's cutting-edge technologies, including smart infrastructure, integrated traffic flow management, big data analytics, and AI-driven predictive maintenance, will be instrumental in revolutionizing Malaysia's highway system."

 
Driving Towards 'Smart Roads' by 2030: Leveraging KEC's Extensive Expertise

Malaysia has laid out its vision for a nationwide intelligent transportation system with the "ITS 2030 Plan." This ambitious roadmap aims to integrate advanced technologies across the country's road networks over the next five years. A cornerstone of this initiative is KEC's impressive track record, boasting over 5,000 kilometers of experience in highway construction, management, and maintenance. This extensive operational know-how is considered a critical asset for Malaysia's transformation.

Minister Linggi acknowledged the profound impact of this technological exchange. "This collaboration in technology exchange has significantly empowered Malaysia's road transformation efforts," he remarked. He also extended his gratitude to the South Korean delegation, including KEC Executive Director Lim Chan-soo, for their "warm hospitality and insightful discussions."

This partnership builds on the momentum established during a meeting between Minister Linggi and South Korean Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Park Sang-woo last November. The ongoing dialogue was further cemented by the "Korea-Malaysia Road and Construction Technology Cooperation Forum" held on May 15th. This pivotal event brought together over 130 representatives from key Malaysian entities, including the Ministry of Public Works, Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM), Construction Technology Centre, and Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB). The South Korean side was represented by KEC, the Korea Institute of Construction Technology, and the Korea Agency for Infrastructure Technology Advancement, among others. Such broad participation underscores the comprehensive nature of the collaboration.

 
Beyond Highways: Smart City Transformation for Enhanced Urban Living

Malaysia's vision extends beyond just highways. The nation is also pursuing a comprehensive plan to transform its entire capital region into a smart city by 2030. This ambitious endeavor aims to tackle persistent urban challenges such as traffic congestion, energy consumption, and environmental sustainability. To achieve this, Malaysia plans to integrate a wide array of South Korean smart technologies. These include AI-powered traffic lights for optimized flow, intelligent parking systems to alleviate urban congestion, IoT-based flood prevention systems for enhanced disaster resilience, and smart building management solutions for energy efficiency and improved urban living.

Industry experts widely anticipate that this deepening Korea-Malaysia cooperation will provide substantial impetus to Malaysia's digital transformation, significantly enhance its transportation infrastructure, and bolster its overall economic competitiveness. The collaboration is seen as a strategic move to leapfrog technological advancements and create more efficient and sustainable urban environments.

Minister Linggi reiterated his strong desire for continued partnership, stating, "I hope for the continued cooperation with the Korea Expressway Corporation."

This collaboration gains added significance as Malaysia currently holds the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It positions South Korea as a key partner in expanding infrastructure technology exchange within the region, fostering broader economic and technological ties in Southeast Asia. This strategic timing not only boosts Malaysia's domestic development goals but also reinforces South Korea's role as a leader in smart infrastructure solutions on the international stage.