To address the issues of flooding and air pollution, Johor has put in place a cutting-edge monitoring system under the authority of the Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB).
As part of the endeavour, Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, chairman of the Johor State Housing and Local Government Committee, said that Smart CCTV with parameters to measure water levels in rivers and monsoon drains, especially in the city area, is being installed.
“This camera allows water levels to be monitored directly during heavy rains. If the level rises to a risky level, the data can be analysed immediately to enable preventive action to be taken,” he said.
Following the commencement of the Johor Smart City Forum (JSCF) 2025 at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre, he made this statement during a press conference.
In addition to Smart CCTV, he noted, Johor has reinforced the state’s smart city agenda by introducing the multipurpose Smart Pole innovation.
According to him, the pole has speakers and an automated warning system in addition to monitoring cameras.
“If the rain exceeds 60 millimetres and there is a potential for flooding, this system will activate a warning sound to warn the surrounding residents to prepare for possible flooding,” he said.
Installing Smart Indicators to gauge the degree of air pollution in the focal area is another way that the technology is supported, according to Mohd Jafni.
The gadget, which is mounted on a Smart Pole, continuously checks the quality of the air, enabling authorities to act quickly when pollution poses a health risk to the public, he said.
Because of its low elevation and fast urbanisation, Johor Bahru is still considered to be among the regions in the state most vulnerable to flash floods.
Flooding is most prevalent in the vicinity of the city centre. The condition typically gets worse when there is a lot of rain and high tides, which prevent rainwater from flowing out to sea.
Apart from geographical factors, the old and narrow drainage system and drains clogged with rubbish also contribute to the problem.
This situation causes water levels to easily overflow, affecting homes, businesses and main routes.
The JSCF 2025 Forum, which took place from 22 to 24 September, brought together technology experts, government agencies, local authorities and industry players to share experiences and expertise in the field of smart cities.
Among the main focuses of the forum were the adaptation of smart technology, disaster risk management, urban safety and environmental monitoring.
With the implementation of the initiative, Johor is believed to be able to become a pioneer in smart cities that prioritize the safety, health and well-being of the people, in line with the state’s aspirations towards sustainable development.
.){kind=link}