Kuala lumpur: Echoing Malaysia's drive for an equitable and secure regional digital ecosystem, ASEAN nations must accelerate connectivity while bolstering public trust to ensure rural and remote communities are not left behind. This shared priority was underscored by regional leaders during a panel session on digital connectivity and trust at the M360 ASEAN 2026 conference here today, hosted in Malaysia as the country champions a unified and safe digital future for the bloc.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs secretary-general Dr Ir Ismail emphasized that government intervention remained necessary in areas where building telecommunications infrastructure was not commercially viable for private operators. 'Infrastructure is a must and connectivity is a must because digital connectivity gives us opportunities to improve the economy and the prosperity of our people, including in education and health,' he said.
Ismail highlighted Indonesia's geographical complexity, encompassing more than 17,000 islands, which required the government to support common infrastructure, including terrestrial networks and satellite connectivity. Such open-access infrastructure, he noted, can be made available to telecommunications operators at minimal cost, allowing them to extend services to underserved areas while maintaining sustainable operations.
He explained that the Indonesian government was also managing spectrum costs and allowing infrastructure collaboration among operators to accelerate the expansion of 5G services. According to Ismail, Indonesia's 5G coverage had reached about 50 percent and would be progressively expanded from major cities to secondary cities and rural areas.
However, he stressed that physical connectivity alone is insufficient without strong public confidence to drive the adoption of online solutions, especially digital financial services. 'Trust is not the responsibility of the government alone. Collaboration among all stakeholders is needed to build that trust,' he said.
Sharing a similar perspective, Timor-Leste National Communications Authority chairman Flavio Cardoso Neves said his country was prioritizing connectivity, cybersecurity, and public confidence in digital safety as it advanced its digital transformation. 'Connectivity is most important. We are talking about digitalization, but without connectivity in rural areas, it will be difficult to ensure that all citizens have access,' he said.
Neves mentioned that Timor-Leste was developing nationwide connectivity and submarine-cable infrastructure while learning from the experiences of fellow ASEAN countries, including Indonesia and Malaysia. He also noted that digital literacy would be crucial to ensuring that citizens used technology according to their needs and with a sense of responsibility.
M360 ASEAN 2026, organized by the GSMA on Sept 9 and 10, brings together ministers, regulators, and industry leaders to discuss digital trust, artificial intelligence, resilient infrastructure, and regional digital integration. The event, held for the first time in the ASEAN region and in Malaysia, is endorsed by the Ministry of Communications, with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) as host partner. Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil officiated the opening of the event this morning.