In a filing with Bursa Malaysia today, TM said the deal was valued at RM1.25 billion.
TM said the NG999 system will consolidate digital maps from the internet, caller IDs, geolocation service, and smart applications in handling distress calls and dispatching first responders.
It said this would improve response time to emergency calls throughout the country.
TM said it would introduce an NG999 app for smartphones which would have text, photo and video functions. It said this would expedite services and improve communications between users and first responders.
“The implementation of the world-class NG999 system is in line with global best practices like the European Emergency Number Association NG112 and National Emergency Number Association NG911 in North America.
“NG999 will also make use of modern technology such as data analysis and artificial intelligence for more effective emergency services. This is to ensure first responders can act quickly in urgent moments,” it said in a statement.
Late response to emergencies has been a recurrent issue in Malaysia.
In 2022, Daily Express reported that an ambulance took an hour after an emergency call was made before it arrived to help a man who suffered a heart attack in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The 54-year-old patient eventually died.
The state health department said the initial emergency call made to the MERS999 system was cut while the caller was being diverted to the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital emergency call centre.
Attempts to get back in touch with the caller were unsuccessful, with first responders dispatched only after receiving a second call with the necessary information.
Switch officially starts next year
Deputy communications minister Teo Nie Ching said NG999 will enhance resource and data sharing between emergency call centres and central agencies, thereby improving the efficiency of emergency services.
“The concession period is 12 years — one year is for the development phase and 11 years for managing the service.”
She said the switch from MERS999 to NG999 will officially start next year.
TM group CEO Amar Huzaimi Deris said the company will also introduce a new application for NG999 that allows the use of text, photos and videos for registered users.
“This will improve communication quality between callers and emergency responders, thereby speeding up service delivery.”
On a related matter, Teo said the number of prank calls to MERS999 had dropped further, with about 15,000 to 16,000 calls each month as of June this year, compared with 19,000 per month last year and 31,000 in the previous year.