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Malaysia to Dig Deeper into Tunnelling and Trenchless Technology to Boost Urban Development

Rapid urban development is fast compelling us to start looking down to build up. Going underground is simply no longer an option, it is becoming an urban necessity to ease pressure on surface land, reduce congestion and allow more green spaces to be preserved in our cities.

“Urban planners increasingly describe underground space as the ‘third dimension’ of modern cities, complementing vertical and horizontal development,” revealed Tuan Chang Lih Kang, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), at the Asian Conference on Tunnelling and Trenchless Technology (ACTT) 2025.

ACTT 2025 held concurrently with ENGINEERING & MARVEX 2025, brings together experts in the field of tunnelling and trenchless technology, a method used to install, replace or repair pipes without the need for large-scale excavation.

“A perfect example of this is with the Klang Valley MRT and LRT projects, where underground stations are reshaping the way our citizens move, work, and live,” he added.

YB Chang highlighted MOSTI’s push to accelerate breakthroughs in tunnelling, infrastructure, and urban solutions through three key platforms:

  • National Technology and Innovation Sandbox (NTIS): A testbed that enables innovators to trial new technologies in real-world conditions, critical for tunnelling and construction, where safety, efficiency, and cost are decisive.

  • AI Sandbox: Building an ecosystem for AI-driven solutions, from predictive maintenance to AI-assisted tunnel boring machines that redefine precision and productivity.

  • MRANTI and MIMOS: Opening pathways for investment in advanced materials, robotics, and geospatial technologies to strengthen Malaysia’s infrastructure development capabilities.

“Yet, at the core of all innovation are people. No machine or software can replace the ingenuity and resilience of human talent. This is why MOSTI is committed to building a strong talent pipeline, because without people, innovation cannot be sustained,” stressed YB Chang.

These initiatives are already paying off. Malaysia now ranks 33rd out of 133 countries in the 2024 Global Innovation Index, the nation’s best performance since 2016, and a global recognition of our commitment to nurturing the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.