Johor, MCMC ink RM300m deal to boost 5G, expand Internet access and improve cybersecurity
JOHOR BARU, April 22 — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has entered into a strategic collaboration with the Johor government to strengthen infrastructure, expand Internet network coverage and enhance public awareness of cybersecurity and digital literacy.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said RM300 million in funding has been allocated over two years to ensure the successful implementation of the initiatives under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed today.
He said among the planned initiatives is the expansion of 5G network coverage, particularly in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).
'Starting now, this strategic cooperation will be carried out, and insya-Allah, within two years, the state government and MCMC will develop specific programmes supported by an estimated RM300 million.
'This will involve several phases, with the first focusing on expanding Internet coverage. We want to ensure that areas like the JS-SEZ have sufficient Internet coverage and can fully benefit from 5G technology,' he told a press conference after the MoU exchange ceremony between the Johor government and MCMC here yesterday.
Earlier, the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, graced the ceremony.
Also present were Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, State Public Works, Transport, Infrastructure and Communications Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh and MCMC executive chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din.
Meanwhile, Fahmi said the collaboration would also involve improving mobile communication coverage to encourage the adoption of smart technology applications and artificial intelligence (AI) by government agencies, private sector and the public across Johor.
He said the enhancement of 5G coverage, especially in major cities and high-impact areas such as data centres, is crucial to support and drive economic and digital transformation in the state.
Other initiatives will include capacity-building and training programmes to increase community participation in the digital economy, as well as awareness and advocacy programmes to promote the safe use of technology, he added.
Meanwhile, Mohamad Fazli said the MoU is significant, particularly in efforts to improve security features in Johor.
He said this includes increasing the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras involving four local authorities, as well as efforts to upgrade network coverage from 4G to 5G across 1,169 identified industrial areas, including the JS-SEZ.
'Overall, Johor's 5G coverage currently stands at 84 per cent. Through this MoU, our focus will include the installation of CCTVs to help curb crime, traffic issues and more. It also involves enhancing 5G Internet access at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium,' he said. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
11 hours ago
- The Star
How to ensure my car is VEP-ready for entry into Malaysia before July 1
Drivers of foreign-registered cars found without a valid VEP entering Malaysia face a RM300 (S$91) compound fine. Photo: ST SINGAPORE: Singapore-registered vehicles must have a valid Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) to enter Malaysia by land from July 1, or risk incurring a RM300 (S$91) fine. The announcement was made by Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke on Wednesday (June 4). Here's a quick guide to ensure your car is VEP-ready for a drive to Johor or farther north. 1. How do I know if my car is VEP-ready? If you have jumped through the various hoops to apply for and obtain the VEP, your car should have the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag affixed on its windscreen or headlamp, and activated for use by a JPJ (Road Transport Department) officer. The tag will work in tandem with your Touch 'n Go e-wallet, which should have sufficient credit for the RM20 road fee when entering either of Johor's land checkpoints. A physical Touch 'n Go card can also serve as a backup. 2. What if my car is not VEP-ready? - I have not applied for the VEP You may begin your application at A representative can also apply on your behalf. A quick application guide is here. - I have applied for but have not received my RFID tag You may be at an intermediary stage of the application process. You can check the status of your application at - I have not collected my RFID tag Apart from postal options to have the tag sent to your home in Singapore, drivers can make an appointment to collect and activate their VEP RFID tags at a number of centres in Singapore or Johor. a. MY VEP Pte Ltd 186 Woodlands Industrial Park E5, #03-01, Singapore 757515 9am-5pm (Monday-Friday) b. TCSens VEP Collection Centre at Danga Bay Block 6, Danga Bay, Jalan Skudai, 80200 Johor 9am-5pm (Wednesday-Sunday) c. Paradigm Mall Carpark at Level 7, Skudai Highway, 81200 Johor Bahru 10am-10pm (daily) d. Sunway Big Box West Wing's lower ground carpark, Persiaran Medini 6, Sunway City, 79250 Iskandar Puteri 10am-9pm (daily) However, inquiries can be made only at Woodlands and Danga Bay. 3. From July 1, 2025, what if my car does not have a VEP? Drivers of foreign-registered cars found without a valid VEP in Malaysia face a RM300 compound fine. Loke said they must pay the fine and also register for the VEP before leaving the country. Activated tags typically last five years before expiring. Since Oct 1, 2024, enforcement on cars has been done in phases, with some 2,245 motorists driving cars without a VEP receiving a notice or reminder when clearing immigration. On June 4, Loke said 231,018 Singapore-registered private individually owned vehicles have been issued their VEP tags, with more than 15 per cent yet to activate the RFID tags. A further 2,660 private company vehicles have been issued the tags. - The Straits Times/ANN
The Star
12 hours ago
- The Star
Bank Islam to decommission GO banking app, BankIslam.biz website from June 28
KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd will retire its legacy mobile banking app, GO, and Internet banking platform effective June 28, 2025. The bank said in a statement today that since the November 2024 launch of the new and enhanced BIMB Mobile banking app and BIMB Web ( over 90 per cent of the existing user base have successfully migrated to the new digital banking platforms. "This overwhelming adoption has fast-tracked the decommissioning deadline from Nov 28, 2025 to June 28, 2025, six months ahead of schedule, reinforcing Bank Islam's commitment to delivering a seamless and secure banking experience,' it said. Bank Islam said that to ensure uninterrupted access to its digital banking services, customers are urged to transition to the new platforms immediately. "The upgraded and enhanced solutions offer improved functionality, greater security including biometric login and secure transaction authentication and an intuitive interface, reflecting the bank's commitment to continue digital innovation and customer-centric service,' said Bank Islam. BIMB Mobile delivers a refreshed digital experience with a sleek interface, robust performance and strengthened safety features upgrades, including biometric login and secure transaction authentication. With just a few simple taps, customers can seamlessly manage essential banking services, such as balance enquiries, fund transfers, bill payments, DuitNow QR transactions, zakat contributions, Debit Card-i maintenance and the new Bank Islam Gold Account-i. - Bernama
The Star
20 hours ago
- The Star
Tech triumph on Asean stage
PETALING JAYA: Experts say Malaysia delivered impressive 5G connectivity at the 46th Asean Summit and Related Summits held in Kuala Lumpur last week. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said in a Bernama report that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), in partnership with local telecommunications industry players, provided three large-size '5G in a box' units and 26 smaller units for the Summit. Monash University Malaysia School of Information Technology senior lecturer Dr Tan Chee Keong believes that innovative use of "5G in a box" units was a key success factor. "These compact, portable 5G base stations were crucial for providing robust, high-speed connectivity, with reported speeds of 300Mbps to 600Mbps and up to 1Gbps at the media centre where the Asean Summit was held in KL," said Tan in a statement to LifestyleTech. He added that this "plug-and-play' capability enabled rapid, cost-effective and flexible network deployment which was essential for accommodating over 1,200 media personnel and delegates. "Traditional infrastructure would have been impractical for such a temporary event with intense, high-bandwidth demands for real-time reporting and communication," he said. With personnel constantly moving around within a complex event landscape featuring temporary structures and varied building materials, inconsistent signal coverage would have been a major hurdle, Tan added. "The agility of these units effectively overcame these architectural and logistical complexities, ensuring continuous high-bandwidth access precisely where needed," he said. He also explained that high-speed and seamless connectivity is crucial for ensuring real-time communication, live broadcasting and virtual participation can be facilitated without hiccups. "Providing ubiquitous connectivity at an international event like the Asean Summit serves as a powerful demonstration of a nation's technological capabilities and its readiness to embrace the digital future. It showcases Malaysia's commitment to digital transformation and its ability to host technologically-advanced events," Tan added. Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association president Siraj Jalil said MCMC's recent efforts to ensure smooth 5G connectivity at the summit was a strategic move that aligns with the country's aspiration to lead the digital frontier in South-East Asia. "It is essential to recognise that 5G readiness is not merely a technical benchmark. It is a demonstration of Malaysia's commitment to offering a secure, smart and competitive digital ecosystem," said Siraj. In terms of security, Siraj said 5G enabled advanced surveillance systems including AI-powered cameras for real-time anomaly detection and facial recognition. The network also allowed instantaneous sharing of documents, ultra high definition video conferencing and smart logistical coordination, which significantly enhanced operational efficiency and safety. "Digital infrastructure is not just a technical requirement, but a key enabler of modern diplomacy and high-standard governance," Siraj added. Tech expert and content creator Adil Hidayat, also known as Pendakwah Teknologi, said it was a good move by MCMC to enhance the 5G network and coverage at the Asean Summit. "What's more important is that there were no reports of slow Internet or connectivity issues throughout the event, that alone speaks volumes about the strength and reliability of our 5G infrastructure," Adil added. Beyond the Summit Local 5G network coverage in populated areas is reported to be at 82.4% as of December 2024, with over 53% of mobile users now on 5G compared to just 24.6% the year before. Based on latest Opensignal Q1 2025 data which indicates that overall 5G download speeds is at an average 237.5Mbps, Tan said this gives users faster downloads for large files, smoother 4K/8K video streaming plus a much-improved experience for cloud-based applications compared to 4G. 'The ability to achieve speeds well over 200Mbps in covered areas certainly offers a meaningful upgrade for data-intensive activities,' he added. He believes 5G also delivers a major security upgrade over 4G by providing stronger encryption and authentication, better user data protection and features like network slicing that creates isolated, highly secure virtual networks. It also enables safer integration of billions of IoT devices, giving users greater confidence in data protection and online activity in a cyber-threatened world. For 5G to truly benefit the entire country, particularly rural and remote areas, Tan said the focus should not just be on speed and coverage but also affordability, inclusivity and tangible real-world benefits. 'Critically, the recent transition to a dual 5G network model is expected to foster increased market competition among providers. This, combined with diverse and tailored packages, including affordable prepaid options, will be crucial in driving down the cost for consumers,' he said. He added that ongoing 5G rollout must prioritise rural and remote areas by overcoming bureaucratic and logistical challenges as well as using innovative solutions like Fixed Wireless Access. 'Prioritising these communities, as laid out in the national digital connectivity plan Jendela's second phase is critical. The way 5G has been rolled out at the Asean Summit and through ongoing initiatives truly highlights Malaysia's commitment to its digital transformation goals,' he said. Siraj acknowledged the strength of 5G connectivity at the Asean Summit as a proud moment for Malaysia, but added that it must be seen as the beginning of a broader transformation. 'The next step is to ensure that this technology forms the foundation of an inclusive, secure and high-impact digital ecosystem that truly improves the daily lives of Malaysian citizens,' he said. Tan concurred, adding that the Jendela initiative — which has recorded 9.03 million premises with high-speed/fibre Internet — provides the foundational backbone by enhancing nationwide fixed and mobile broadband coverage and preparing for 5G transition across all segments to ensure a pervasive and equitable digital foundation necessary for widespread adoption. 'Together, these efforts prove Malaysia is serious about its MyDigital aspirations, showing the world it's a dynamic, forward-thinking nation ready to seize the full potential of the digital era for sustainable growth and a better future for all,' said Tan.
