6 days ago
Move to streamline 12 million addresses nationwide
Addressing issues: Fahmi (right) and his deputy Teo Nie Ching at the Malaysia Address Conference in Kuala them are Principal Assistant State Secretary Maznah Mahat (left). — SAMUEL ONG/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: A unified National Address System (NAS) that will streamline more than 12 million addresses nationwide is set to be rolled out soon, a move aimed at tackling long-standing issues of inaccurate and inconsistent address data across the public and private sectors.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the significant reform, mooted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, would resolve the widespread discrepancies in address information used by various agencies and organisations.
'The core focus of the NAS is to ensure that every address in Malaysia is identifiable and traceable through accurate means,' Fahmi said after launching the Malaysia Address Conference 2025 yesterday.
He explained that the NAS will serve as a centralised and standardised database for both government agencies and businesses, enabling more efficient coordination, faster deliveries, and improved emergency response times.
Currently, various agencies and businesses rely on different address databases, which often leads to inefficiencies and inaccuracies, he said.
Fahmi added that the reform is projected to generate RM2bil in economic spillover and create more than 2,000 jobs over the next five years, particularly in sectors related to address management, based on analysis by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
The system, he said, would not only improve day-to-day operations but also prove critical during disasters such as floods, where precise location data is vital for identifying affected areas.
While centralising addresses may appear mundane, Fahmi stressed that the implications are far-reaching.
'When I first took office, I didn't think this was a pressing issue. But after multiple discussions, I discovered just how fragmented our address systems are. A single person or entity might have different addresses.
'Every address should belong to its rightful owner. The many agencies out there do not have standardised information, and this has led to significant issues in daily dealings, such as delays or failed deliveries,' he said.
The government has spent about RM700mil to date on geospatial and navigation services to obtain location information outsourced from third parties.
