KUALA LUMPUR: Telekom Malaysia Bhd has bagged a RM1.25 billion 12-year concession from the government to develop and operate the nation's new emergency response system, the Next Generation Emergency Services 999 (NG999), replacing the existing MERS999.
The concession will run until 2036.
The services to be provided to the government under the NG999 agreement consist of call management, infrastructure and platform, connectivity,
NG999 support and NG999 continuous improvement, and other NG999 added services upon the government's request.
NG999 is a strategic digital platform for public to access emergency services offered by five key emergency agencies nationwide including Polis DiRaja Malaysia (PDRM), Kementerian Kesihatan, Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia (JBPM), Agensi Penguatkuasaan Maritim Malaysia (APMM) and Angkatan Pertahanan Awam Malaysia (APM).
This platform also integrates response centres operated by TM Tech with emergency agencies control and operation centres.
The new system will integrate web-based digital maps, caller identifications, geolocation services and mobile smart apps into emergency incident handling, helping to improve emergency response time nationwide.
In a statement today, TM group chief executive officer Amar Huzaimi Md Deris said the telecommunication company's comprehensive role will cover network and platform infrastructure, call management, and other support services.
He said this in turn will allow them to provide continuous efficacy to the public and emergency responders.
"This opportunity to revitalise our emergency services is another milestone in TM's commitment towards Digital Malaysia by leveraging the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), reflecting our aspiration to become a Digital Powerhouse by 2030," he added.
According to TM, the implementation of Malaysia's world class NG999 system follows the latest international best practices such as the European Emergency Number Association's NG112 and the National Emergency Number Association's NG911 in North America.
NG999 will also leverage advanced technologies including data analytics and AI to deliver swifter and more effective emergency responses, ensuring emergency responders can make every second count in critical moments.
It emphasised that tapping into the experiences of various government and law enforcement agencies as well as emergency dispatchers and TM, the enhancement to the nation's emergency call services is not just a technology upgrade but a reaffirmation of TM's commitment to serve the nation.
"Aligning with the country's increasing mobile usage, TM will introduce a new mobile app for NG999 that enables updates through text, photos and videos for registered users," TM said.
"This will enhance communications between callers and emergency responders, helping the latter in their tactical deployment," it added.