KUALA LUMPUR: SMTrack Bhd has established a partnership with Straits Millennium Sdn Bhd (SMSB), a facility management service provider for digital economy initiatives for rural communities in Malaysia
This partnership signifies the beginning of a collaborative effort to transform rural community centres in Malaysia by implementing digital economy initiatives as part of the Smart Village Program.
Both companies will form a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to tender for projects under the Smart Village Program project.
The investment reflects both parties’ commitment to this venture, with SMTrack holding a 60 per cent stake and SMSB holding 40 per cent.
SMSB operates in the support services sector, which comprises construction, facility management, information and technology (IT) infrastructure, energy, oil and gas, marine, and general trading.
SMTrack deputy executive chairman Datuk Azmi Osman said the joint venture between SMTrack and SMSB is a strategic move to leverage the company’s combined technology and facility management strengths.
“Our goal is to ensure that the rural communities of Malaysia can enjoy the benefits of the digital economy, thus bridging the urban-rural divide,” he said in a statement.
This collaboration aligns with the government’s initiative, Dasar Pembangunan Luar Bandar 2030 (DPLB), launched in June 2019.
DPLB aims to prepare rural communities for local and global challenges and, more importantly, accelerate transformation in rural Malaysia by 2030.
The Smart Village Projects aims to provide rural communities with high-speed internet access and digital technologies, enhancing education, healthcare, and economic opportunities through digital marketplaces and smart farming.
SMTrack’s non-independent non-executive director Datuk Zaidi Hashim said this venture is a significant step forward for SMTrack and a testament to the immense potential of digitising rural Malaysia.
“By empowering these communities with digital tools and infrastructure, we are not only enhancing their quality of life but also unlocking new economic prospects for the nation,” he said.
As agreed by both parties, the formation of the SPV underscores their dedication to the successful execution and management of the project.
With a strategic allocation of resources and expertise, this joint venture is poised to significantly contribute to the digital empowerment of Malaysia’s rural community centres, paving the way for a brighter, more connected future.
SMSB chief strategy officer Norresah Abu Samah said the company’s collaboration is a testament to its shared vision of empowering rural communities through innovative digital solutions.
“Together, we are set to make a tangible difference in the lives of Malaysia’s rural population,” she said.
