SMART MOBILITY INNOVATION: PLUS, KEC Ink Partnership to Drive Future Generation Highway Technology

KUALA LUMPUR, El Sky News – Local highway giant, PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS), has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with its South Korean counterpart, Korea Expressway Corporation (KEC), as a proactive step towards empowering high-tech infrastructure and accelerating smart mobility solutions across both their highway networks.

This significant collaboration is seen as a new benchmark in the highway management industry, particularly in the context of the digital economy and global sustainability initiatives.

The MoU was signed by PLUS Managing Director, Datuk Nik Airina Nik Jaffar, along with KEC President, Ham Jin-Gyu, in conjunction with the 20th ITS Asia Pacific Forum 2025 held in Suwon, South Korea.

Focus on AI and Sustainability

In a statement released by PLUS, Datuk Nik Airina emphasised that this strategic relationship is not merely a technology exchange but a shared commitment to redefine highway management and enhance user experience through continuous innovation.

“Over the next two years, we will target joint exploration in critical aspects of highway operations, covering more durable and smart road paving technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based smart camera systems for traffic monitoring and safety, as well as efficient toll system solutions,” she said.

This joint venture aligns with PLUS’s vision to provide a world-class highway experience that is more modern, smart, and environmentally friendly, thereby exploring operations towards the construction of a ‘future highway’.

Driving the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Ecosystem

The main focus of the signed cooperation involves three core pillars: the development of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), the construction of sustainable infrastructure, and the enhancement of workforce capabilities in both organisations.

This collaboration is expected to support the digital transformation and green technology agendas outlined by the Governments of Malaysia and South Korea. By combining resources and expertise, PLUS and KEC are set to establish new benchmarks in operational efficiency and infrastructure resilience along their respective highway networks.

“In an era where the global transport industry is evolving with the current of modernisation, highway operators face increasing challenges to provide resilient infrastructure and seamless mobility,” the statement added.

This move is also expected to equip both countries to meet the mobility demands of the next generation through the alignment of strategic policy planning and on-the-ground technology exchange.

The industry-level strategic partnership between PLUS, as Malaysia’s largest highway operator, and KEC, its South Korean counterpart, is further reinforced by a previous MoU signed between the Ministry of Works (KKR) Malaysia and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) South Korea. This frames a strong pathway for knowledge exchange and technological advancement within the Asian highway ecosystem.

(Leakim Otid)