MCMC puts Malaysia on strong digital pathway at Asean Summit 2025
The commission, in close partnership with telecommunications industry players, successfully provided high-speed 5G internet connectivity crucial to the smooth running of the international event.
THE 46th Asean Summit held in Kuala Lumpur last week not only marked a diplomatic milestone but also showcased Malaysia’s robust digital infrastructure, thanks to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
The commission, in close partnership with telecommunications industry players, successfully provided high-speed 5G internet connectivity crucial to the smooth running of the international event.
MCMC’s efforts ensured high-performance internet coverage at key locations around the conference centre and delegate accommodation, delivering speeds of up to 1Gbps, as highlighted by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
This stable and fast 5G network enabled delegates from the 10 Asean member states and international dialogue partners to conduct live broadcasts, hybrid meetings and real-time information sharing seamlessly.
Cybersecurity expert Dr Suresh Ramasamy praised the 5G coverage throughout the summit, particularly at the Asean meeting venues.
"Although there is still room for improvement in network speed, the user experience was very good compared to regional networks. MCMC has worked hand in hand with telecommunications providers comprehensively in terms of stability, speed and security.
"This was proven by the absence of negative feedback or incidents during the conference," he said.
Suresh added that Malaysia’s commitment to high-speed internet infrastructure during this prestigious event reinforced its image as a competitive nation alongside other Asean countries.
The country’s maturity in 5G development also positioned it as a pioneer in digital transformation in the region.
He added that MCMC, through Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) has long led the way with the single wholesale network (SWN) model, reflecting its readiness to face Malaysia’s digital challenges.
A significant step forward was the Asean Declaration on cybersecurity signed during the summit, aimed at enhancing regional integration to protect the digital space.
IT and cybersecurity expert Fong Choong Fook emphasised the importance of Asean countries working together, especially in the face of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT).
"In the cyber world, a lot of intelligence information becomes threats such as cyberattacks and hacker movements. In fact, this intelligence information should be shared among different Asean countries.
"This action will help affected countries to be better prepared to face cyberattacks. So, sharing threat intelligence is a good initiative," he said.
Fong also urged the government and related agencies to continue strengthening Malaysia’s cybersecurity.
While the summit highlighted Malaysia’s digital infrastructure capabilities, Fong stressed the need for a holistic enhancement of the country’s cybersecurity systems.
"The government cannot rely on outdated approaches to solve cybersecurity issues. Failure to tackle such threats could lead to serious security risks to the public. True digitalisation also involves cybersecurity aspects and this might be overlooked.
"So, to ensure Asean cooperation succeeds, we ourselves must first improve our internal capabilities," he added.
As of December 2024, Malaysia’s 5G coverage in populated areas reached 82.4 per cent, placing it among the fastest adopters globally.
User penetration surged to 53.35 per cent from 24.60 per cent previously, indicating widespread acceptance of the technology.
The National Digital Network (Jendela) initiative also surpassed its goals with over 9.03 million premises gaining access to high-speed internet and fibre optics.
This digital progress at Asean 2025 highlighted Malaysia’s emerging role as a digital leader in the region, supported by MCMC’s proactive efforts and forward-looking strategies.
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