MBPP first local agency to launch AI chatbot

 

MBPP smart city unit staff Alia Jasmani and S. Shanmugapiriya giving an explanation to new user Lee Tzyy Chii, 38, on ChatMBPP during the launch in Bayan Lepas. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has launched its Gen.AI chatbot called ChatMBPP.

Developed by MBPP’s Smart City Unit with input from all 19 internal departments, the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot supports four languages – Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin and Tamil.

ChatMBPP can respond to queries and initiate actions such as generating complaint tickets and routing them to relevant departments automatically.

The system is also part of MBPP’s agentic AI phase, enabling it to not only respond but trigger internal processes.

Rajendran says ChatMBPP will be a game changer in public service delivery.

The system is currently in beta, with MBPP noting that responses were AI-generated and for reference only, with accuracy to be improved over time.

Penang island mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said ChatMBPP was a game changer in public service delivery, offering round-the-clock access for users to obtain information, lodge complaints and use the city council services.

“It brings MBPP closer to the people and moves us towards a smarter, more responsive digital administration.

“It serves as a simple, fast and user-friendly digital platform that operates 24/7, enabling seamless interaction between the public and local authority.

“ChatMBPP is specifically designed to handle queries related to MBPP’s city management functions, including services, procedures, public complaints, enforcement, taxation and responsibilities.

“The initiative aligns with national efforts to build AI-driven cities and complements frameworks such as Penang2030 and the Malaysia Smart City agenda, while maintaining human oversight to ensure accuracy and quality,” said Rajendran.

Gen.AI was launched by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at Queensbay Mall, alongside Penang local government, town and country planning committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye and Digital Ministry secretary-general Datuk Fabian Bigar.

Chow said the launch represented a shift in how the government engaged with the public.

Chow: ChatMBPP serves as a key entry point into a Penang AI City ecosystem.

“As we move towards Industrial Revolution 4.0 and adopt AI, government service delivery must also evolve to be faster, more accurate and without bureaucratic hurdles.”

Chow said Penang, which contributed 44.2% or RM65bil to Malaysia’s exports as of January 2026, could no longer rely on traditional and slower administrative methods.

He added that the initiative laid the foundation for a “Penang AI City”, where data was used to improve quality of life in an inclusive manner, with ChatMBPP serving as a key entry point into that ecosystem.

The chatbot is built on Amazon Web Services infrastructure and is tailored specifically for PP’s scope of services, including city management, enforcement, taxation and public complaints.MB

Fabian said the move represented a new benchmark for local authorities, describing it as a model for how generative AI could be applied in public service delivery nationwide.

He added that Digital Ministry had approved a 5G grant to support the initiative, enabling faster, real-time responses through robust infrastructure

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Recycling hoarder in a mountain of trouble

 

Man gets warning after 4,440kg of trash removed

GEORGE TOWN: For years, a senior citizen has been riding around the island on a motorcycle, collecting and sorting recyclable materials for a living.

But as his health began failing, he could not deal with it and ended up living with “mountainous” piles of recyclables in his house.

Following public complaints, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) visited the senior citizen’s home in Batu Maung.

It took six truckloads to clear 4,440kg of the waste piled high in the compound of his single-storey house.

More than 20 MBPP workers took five hours on Thursday to remove the rubbish.

Mammoth task: It took over 20 MBPP workers and six trucks to clear the rubbish from the house in Batu Maung. — Photo provided by MBPP

And as per MBPP regulations, the senior citizen was left with a RM2,021.74 bill for the removal, transport and disposal of the waste.

In a statement, MBPP said it had to act because of complaints by those in the neighbourhood.

“The resident said he would sort through the recyclable waste to sell to recycling centres.

“But due to his deteriorating health, managing the accumulated waste became impossible yet the quantity increased daily,” said MBPP.

As it became a breeding ground for pests, MBPP said the Southwest District Health Department issued the senior citizen a notice under Section 8 of the Destruction of Disease-Bearing Insects Act 1975 on Oct 7.

The senior citizen had been given a warning to stop collecting and sorting rubbish, and to clean up his house compound, failing which MBPP would take follow-up action.

In Penang, by-laws were enacted since 2016 to regulate those involved in waste segregation and the collection of recyclable materials.

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