KUALA LUMPUR: The Kampung Digital initiative in Melaka will serve as a "pilot project" for Malaysia's National Address System (NAS), which aims to establish a unified and authoritative addressing system nationwide.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil praised Melaka's leadership at the Kampung Digital Agreement document exchange ceremony between the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and the Melaka State Government.
"Congratulations to the Melaka Chief Minister and the state government for pioneering the Kampung Digital initiative. This serves as a benchmark for the National Address System framework," he said.
The initiative, the brainchild of Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, uses geospatial mapping technology and QR codes to address the lack of structured addresses in rural areas.
Fahmi called it "a significant achievement for Melaka" and "a vital step toward ensuring every residence nationwide has a complete and uniform address".
During the June 24 meeting of the Digital Economy and Fourth Industrial Revolution Council (MED4IRN), chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the council approved the NAS in principle.
Fahmi said that the MCMC-led NAS Implementation Study is aimed at managing over 12 million addresses across the country, with Melaka's project serving as a pilot.
Acknowledging that Malaysia spent over RM700 million annually on foreign geospatial services, he said this resulted in revenue leakage for the country and posed risks to managing critical infrastructure information.
Ab Rauf expressed gratitude for the partnership with MCMC and revealed that RM3.37 million in funding had been secured for the initiative after a presentation to MCMC in July last year.
"This funding will allow us to upgrade the Kampung Digital System comprehensively, including adding system modules, mobile apps, system integration, and other enhancements," he said.
Ab Rauf said that the system had the potential to serve as a model for systematic village address coordination, setting an example for digitising villages nationwide.