CYBERJAYA – The government today launched the Mobile Integrated Radio and Internet Communication System (Prime) to enhance disaster and emergency preparedness in public spaces.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the initiative, led by the Communications Ministry through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), is a strategic effort to ensure communication resilience. Each Prime unit was developed at a cost of RM1 million.
“PRIME is designed to ensure stable, flexible and reliable communication connectivity during relief operations, especially when existing terrestrial network coverage is disrupted or limited,” Fahmi said at the launch event.
“The implementation of Prime will also strengthen collaboration between MCMC and various strategic agencies involved in disaster and emergency response, thereby improving national communication resilience and response efficiency.
“Additionally, Prime supports community outreach programmes such as the National Information Dissemination Centre (Nadi), serving as a mobile digital hub that facilitates internet demonstrations and community activities at targeted locations.”
Also present were Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa and MCMC executive chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din.
Fahmi said the initiative contributes to building a more inclusive and responsive communications ecosystem and is expected to catalyse the country’s digital transformation agenda, in line with the Malaysia Madani aspirations.
“To start, three Prime units will be developed in phases. The first unit, launched today, will be stationed at MCMC’s headquarters to support operations in Peninsular Malaysia.
“The remaining two units are expected to be completed by the end of 2025 and will be deployed at MCMC offices in Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
At a press conference afterwards, Fahmi added that the effectiveness of Prime will be evaluated over a certain period before improvements are made.
“Once its usage has been reviewed, I will ask MCMC to assess how its functions can be enhanced and whether more units should be introduced under its supervision.
“After we observe its capabilities and operational use, I will propose a review to see whether additional functions can be added.
“For instance, the use of drones or loudspeakers with microphone input could enable communication with groups located further away, allowing them to speak directly with rescue teams operating the Prime unit,” he said. – June 16, 2025