KUALA LUMPUR – The National Address System (NAS), currently being developed by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), will serve as an integrated platform for a centralised and standardised database of 12 million addresses nationwide, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
He said the absence of a single entity with nationwide coverage to coordinate and standardise address data – many of which are inaccurate, unverified, or decentralised – has led to tangible impacts in daily operations.
These include undelivered or delayed shipments, slower emergency response, challenges in planning utilities and infrastructure, and constraints on the growth of e-commerce and courier services, he said.
“NAS is an authoritative, standardised and centralised address system that will unify address data in line with the Department of Standards Malaysia’s MS2039 specifications.
“Each address will be geocoded and assigned a unique location identifier to ensure consistency, accuracy and interoperability across sectors,” he said during his keynote at the 2025 National Address Conference, organised by MCMC at Dewan Tun Hussein Onn, World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.
Fahmi, who is also the spokesperson for the unity government, said NAS will bring clear benefits to Malaysians, taking into account the country’s diverse settlement types – including Felda schemes, traditional villages, longhouses, and water-based communities.
“For example, during floods or fires, rescue teams will be able to pinpoint victims’ locations more accurately and quickly,” he said.
He added that NAS not only addresses current challenges, but is also expected to yield significant socioeconomic impact – boosting productivity, creating jobs, and improving national competitiveness.
“According to preliminary findings from the NAS Implementation Study, the economic spillover is projected to reach RM2 billion, with over 2,000 new jobs created in the next five years,” he said.
The two-day National Address Conference 2025, which began yesterday, featured 15 presentation sessions by local and international speakers. It drew more than 500 participants from government, private sector, academia, and the general public.
Also present were Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching and Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa.
Fahmi added that to ensure successful implementation, the ministry has directed MCMC to roll out a NAS Transformation Plan, starting with a pilot project in selected areas. The pilot will focus on governance, technical standards, administration and data integration with relevant agencies.
“I hope the NAS Transformation Plan will be adopted by all agencies and industries, supporting Malaysia’s move towards a more digitally-oriented nation.
“NAS is not just a tech project – it is the foundation for transforming public service delivery, strengthening the digital economy, and enhancing citizens’ quality of life,” he said. – July 17, 2025