Johor bahru: The establishment of the Johor Bahru Integrated Operations and Control Centre (JBIOCC) has not only strengthened the management of the city, but has also attracted delegations from world economic powers such as China and the United States to see its operation for themselves.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, JBIOCC Urban Transport and Commander assistant director Dr Choo Kok Wah stated that the integrated urban governance model using artificial intelligence (AI) technology in improving the efficiency of city services had also captured the attention of delegations from Indonesia and Singapore. He mentioned that JBIOCC's ability to draw interest from these countries through their visits to the Johor Bahru City Council Tower (MBJB) has opened up opportunities for strategic cooperation in universal smart city technology and expertise sharing.
The control centre, developed by MBJB and operational since December 2023, functions as 'eyes and ears' in monitoring the city for security, crime, disasters, traffic congestion, infrastructure management, environmental cleanliness, and road damage. Dr Choo highlighted that JBIOCC enhances investor confidence in Johor Bahru's development regarding smart city planning and security levels.
JBIOCC, based at MBJB Tower, monitors city activities via a 12-metre display screen and 500 CCTV cameras with 15 smart AI features. Dr Choo noted that JBIOCC detects about 10,000 incidents monthly, including road accidents, crimes, illegal waste dumping, flash floods, road damage, and illegal trader operations. Information is coordinated and shared with responsible departments and agencies to ensure swift action within 24 hours.
The CCTV system includes facial recognition and vehicle registration number recognition features, aiding effective enforcement while prioritizing public privacy. JBIOCC is supported by 10 LED information display systems on main roads to provide updates like traffic congestion and flash floods to road users.
Additionally, JBIOCC integrates with four panic buttons at public locations, connected to CCTV cameras to expedite authority responses. Dr Choo explained that these panic buttons allow individuals to contact JBIOCC staff directly, facilitating prompt action from relevant parties.
JBIOCC's presence has also contributed to MBJB achieving Level 3: Leading Smart City in the Malaysian Smart City Ranking last year, marking it as the first Local Authority in Malaysia to reach this level. This recognition highlights MBJB's leadership in the country's smart city transformation, thanks to various high-impact initiatives focusing on governance effectiveness, community well-being, and urban sustainability.