Kuala lumpur: Malaysia is advancing its digital governance framework to ensure that technological progress remains secure, resilient, and trustworthy while maintaining a balance between innovation and accountability, Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil announced today.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the country's efforts are exemplified through initiatives like the National Digital Network Plan (Jendela), a nationwide 5G rollout, investments in submarine cable infrastructure, and the implementation of the Online Safety Act 2025 (ONSA). These measures aim to create a safer and more reliable digital ecosystem.
"Trust has become the defining challenge of the next digital era. Can citizens trust the platforms they use, the information they consume, and the digital systems that increasingly shape their daily lives? Technology has evolved far more rapidly than many of the frameworks designed to govern it," Fahmi remarked during his address at the International Regulators Conference (IRC) 2026.
The conference, attended by Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah, and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din, serves as a platform for global regulators, policymakers, and industry leaders to address pressing issues in the digital sphere.
Fahmi emphasized that regulatory frameworks must evolve alongside technological advancements to remain agile and responsive, while still encouraging innovation and providing certainty for the industry. ONSA, in particular, marks a shift from merely responding to online harm to actively preventing it by enhancing platform accountability and protecting vulnerable communities.
The IRC 2026, themed 'Shaping the Next Digital Era: Regulation, Resilience and Trust,' will facilitate discussions over the next two days on topics such as online safety, data governance, artificial intelligence, quantum communications, and the future of regulation. The goal is to convert dialogue into practical policy outcomes and foster stronger international cooperation.
In a subsequent press conference, Fahmi highlighted that the IRC, now in its third year, was initiated when Malaysia transitioned from a Single Wholesale Network to a Dual Network model for its 5G rollout. This transition attracted interest from international regulators eager to learn from Malaysia's experience.
Fahmi expressed optimism that the conference discussions would lead to tangible actions not only in Malaysia but also globally. He noted that the outcomes would be shared with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), where Malaysia holds a Council Member position.
Organized by the MCMC, the IRC 2026 positions Malaysia as a leader in global telecommunications policy, reinforcing its role in international regulatory discussions and focusing on the digital economy and regulatory matters within the communications and multimedia sector.