SALUTATIONS
1. YB Puan Young Syefura Othman,
Member of Parliament for Bentong
2. Encik Shakib Ahmad Shakir Jamaluddin,
Deputy Secretary General, Ministry of Digital
3. Datuk Azman Ismail,
Chief Executive Officer, Digital Nasional Berhad
4. YB Ho Chi Yang,
State Assemblyman for Tanah Rata
5. YB Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji,
State Assemblyman for Tras
6. YB Woo Chee Wan,
State Assemblyman for Mentakab
7. YB Su Keong Siong,
State Assemblyman for Ketari
Leaders and Representatives of Industry and Community,
Friends from the Media,
Distinguished Guests.
Salam Sejahtera dan Salam Malaysia MADANI.
1. First and foremost, I would like to extend my gratitude and appreciation to YB Puan Young Syefura for inviting me here today. I would also like to thank Datuk Azman and the DNB team for organizing this meaningful programme. I am truly honored to engage with the Bentong community today and share the Ministry of Digital’s vision to transform Malaysia into a Digital Nation.
2. As we all know, Bentong is famous not only among Malaysians but also among tourists from afar who visit this district to explore its rich culture and natural beauty. This town is known for its friendly residents, historic buildings, pre-war shops that are over 120 years old, and various other attractions.
3. Bentong offers peace and tranquility, but more importantly, it is renowned for its fertile land, which produces ginger, as well as vegetable and fruit farms, particularly durians.
Ladies and gentlemen,
4. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight one of the key priorities of my Ministry – ensuring that Malaysia is equipped with a strong digital infrastructure, which is essential for building a wellconnected nation. A solid digital infrastructure, coupled with high levels of trust through cybersecurity and driven by our digital talents, will create a robust digital ecosystem that can propel the country forward.
5. In several other countries, the development of 5G digital technology began around 2019. This advancement has significantly transformed mobile communications and unlocked possibilities for the Internet of Things (IoT), Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
6. Malaysia may have started a little later in this journey, with Digital Nasional Berhad launching its 5G network in 2021. However, the deployment of Malaysia’s 5G network has been remarkably swift, and today, our network is among the best in the world.
7. DNB achieved 80% coverage of populated areas within two years since the introduction of 5G in Malaysia in December 2021—one year ahead of schedule. This network has also won numerous global awards and recognitions from platforms such as Glotel, FutureNet, and Ookla for its performance and reliability.
8. DNB is now focused on bridging the digital divide by enhancing network quality and continuously innovating to improve customer experiences. My Ministry will continue to support DNB in its efforts to deliver world-class connectivity to Malaysians nationwide.
9. As of January 2025, Bentong’s 5G network has achieved 72.3% coverage of populated areas (CoPA). This, along with other digital connectivity initiatives under the Jendela programme, has not only improved overall internet quality but has also empowered small businesses such as coffee shops, restaurants, and SME retailers to adopt digital solutions like cashless transactions, e-commerce, and AI-enabled inventory monitoring.
Ladies and gentlemen,
10. The expansion of 5G coverage in Pahang, which currently stands at 66.4% CoPA, along with other supporting factors such as strong logistics networks, has laid the foundation for the state’s digital and technological aspirations. This includes Pahang’s goal to become an assembly and manufacturing hub for electric vehicles (EV) in the East Coast, as reported by MIDA in December last year.
11. Riding the wave of global EV adoption, Bentong has been selected as the pioneering district for the construction of the state’s first charging station, out of a total of 50 planned stations across Pahang.
12. With analysts predicting an increase in EV sales in Malaysia in 2025, the state is well-positioned to capitalize on this shift in the automotive market, bringing economic prosperity to the people of Pahang.
Ladies and gentlemen,
13. In the agricultural sector, last year, Malaysia witnessed a local startup (BoomGrow Production Sdn Bhd) integrating 5G connectivity, AI, and Augmented Reality with precision farming technology, paving the way for sustainable farming practices and food production.
14. This strategic collaboration, in partnership with mobile network operator CelcomDigi, enables real-time monitoring, precision control over farming environments, and predictive analytics to enhance crop yields and overall resource efficiency. While 4G previously enabled some level of automation on many farms, 5G connectivity has allowed BoomGrow to conduct real-time data analysis for plant growth predictions, crop health assessments, yield management, and nutrient content optimization, supported by machine learning and AI models.
15. Farmers in Bentong can leverage 5G technology to improve operational efficiency and increase crop yields. With smart farming solutions, vegetable and durian farm owners can reduce resource wastage and costs while making more informed decisions about crop risks—ultimately boosting their productivity. This will undoubtedly benefit not only farm owners but also consumers and the national economy.
Ladies and gentlemen,
16. In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, digital transformation is critical to ensuring business viability. While Bentong is often known as a peaceful and serene town, I can see great potential for its economy to grow by embracing opportunities created by digital advancements. The same applies to the state of Pahang. What’s important is that we work together to drive change and innovation through technology and digitalization.
17. With that, I would like to thank all of you for your presence and participation in today’s programme. I also wish to extend my best wishes for Ramadan Mubarak to my Muslim friends—may we all remain healthy and happy always.
Thank you.
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