The Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), an agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), has launched two strategic innovation centres aimed at accelerating the development of local technologies within Malaysia’s rail and smart city sectors.
The launch of the Industrial Technology Innovation Centre (ITIC) and the Smart City Experience & Next Generation Innovation Centre (SCENIC) was held in conjunction with MIGHT’s 30th Annual General Meeting, marking a significant milestone in the organisation’s ongoing commitment to advancing national innovation capabilities.
According to a statement from MIGHT, the ITIC programme has been established in collaboration with the Malaysia Rail Industry Corporation (MARIC) and the Malaysia Smart Cities Alliance Association (MSCA), with the objective of catalysing the adoption and deployment of locally-developed solutions in high-technology sectors.
“The programme seeks to drive the deployment of home-grown technological solutions across the rail and smart city sectors, enhancing Malaysia’s position in high-tech innovation,” MIGHT stated.
As part of the initiative, MARIC has partnered with Tech Store Malaysia to develop a Smart Rail Monitoring System. The system leverages real-time data and predictive analytics to improve maintenance and operational efficiency across the rail network. Real-time monitoring of train location, speed, axle counting, and overload detection is a core feature of the system, supporting predictive and preventive maintenance to reduce downtime and enhance safety.
In tandem with the launch, MIGHT has also released the Malaysia Rail Industry Report, developed with input from key stakeholders across the sector. The report highlights a range of emerging technologies, including additive manufacturing, remote monitoring, smart stations, and environmentally sustainable solutions.
“Featured technologies include additive manufacturing, rail flaw detection systems, energy-efficient and green technologies, advanced training tools, data-driven decision-making, smart maintenance systems, train automation, and next-generation smart station infrastructure,” MIGHT added.
SCENIC, constructed using composite materials through the Industrialised Building System (IBS), is designed to serve as a collaborative hub for the demonstration and integration of local smart city technologies. MIGHT noted that SCENIC also functions as a bridge between innovation and policy, facilitating the real-world deployment of future technologies in line with national urban development objectives.
In support of this ecosystem, MIGHT has introduced a Smart City Directory to catalogue technologies, products, and services along the smart city value chain. The directory aims to enable more informed, data-driven decision-making among municipalities and industry stakeholders.
“These initiatives reflect MIGHT’s ongoing commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s innovation landscape through the cultivation of local technological capabilities,” it said.
The programmes are aligned with the 10-10 Malaysian Science, Technology, Innovation and Economy (MySTIE) Framework and the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (DSTIN) 2021–2030. MIGHT confirmed that the ITIC initiative will continue to expand across multiple platforms to drive forward strategic technologies and socioeconomic enablers, reinforcing Malaysia’s position at the forefront of global innovation in transport and urban development.
-Bernama