Kuala lumpur: The implementation of the National Address System (NAS) will be expanded nationwide, with the pilot project scheduled to begin early next year in nine selected areas. Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching announced that the implementation will occur in stages, initially targeting areas with the highest rate of address inconsistencies before a broader nationwide expansion.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Teo explained that the NAS initiative aims to provide standardised, complete, and recognised addresses for all premises across the nation, including those in villages, rural, and remote areas. This initiative is expected to streamline service delivery systems while enhancing community safety, administrative efficiency, and supporting the development of a comprehensive digital ecosystem.
Teo shared these details during an oral question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara, responding to Senator Abdul Nasir Idris's inquiry about the government's measures and action plans for the comprehensive nationwide expansion of the Digital Village Programme. She noted that the Digital Village initiative aligns with the NAS implementation, which is being developed by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). The NAS will serve as the valid, standardised, and recognised address source for the Federal Government and will become the main reference for managing over 12 million addresses nationwide.
The system is designed to support various sectors, including postal services, economy, security and emergency services, urban planning, utilities, local government, and other government agencies. Teo highlighted the successful implementation of the Digital Village Programme in Melaka, achieved through cooperation with multiple agencies, including the MCMC. This initiative addressed issues related to unclear, incomplete, and unstructured addresses in the 618 identified traditional villages.
In Melaka, every premise was identified, mapped, and digitally recorded using the Geographical Information System (GIS), subsequently receiving a standard address and a unique QR code. This process enables government agencies, service providers, and industry players to verify locations more accurately. Villagers have benefitted from improved management, delivery, and other services dependent on accurate home addresses.
Additionally, the initiative assists the government in obtaining precise statistical data on the actual number of houses in Melaka and the boundaries of villages in the state.