21 Jul 2022
TM to accelerate fibre deployment in Sabah, targeting 58% state coverage by 2025
Building on its commitment to support the Sabah Maju Jaya aspiration, TM will accelerate its fibre deployment, targeting a minimum of 145,000 premises to be connected in the next three (3) years from 2022 – 2025, achieving 58% of fibre coverage in the state.
These targets, along with other matters, were shared during an engagement initiative by TM’s leadership with the Chief Minister of Sabah, YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor today, in an effort to foster a stronger relationship with the state government and various stakeholder groups in Sabah.
The delegation, led by Imri Mokhtar, Group Chief Executive Officer, TM shared updates on TM’s activities in the state as part of its effort to bring seamless connectivity and digital solutions to the population, business community, industry and the public sector. TM has invested more than RM1.1 billion in CAPEX in Sabah since 2012 towards improving connectivity and fiberisation in the state. With a total of 32,000km fibre optic cables statewide, TM has connected close to 282,000 premises in Sabah, in addition to the rollout of 59 fibre connectivity sites at schools in the state which serve as Points Of Presence (POPs). Cumulatively, TM has deployed over 600,000km fibre optic cables nationwide, and will continue to expand in line with the implementation of JENDELA.
Also shared during the visit were TM’s various initiatives to improve browsing experience of customers in Sabah. To enable faster content downloading and reduced latency, TM deployed the TM internet exchange (TMiX) nodes locally in Kota Kinabalu and Penampang as well as upcoming ones in Inanam, Kinarut, Menggatal and Putatan, expected to be ready by December 2022. The company will also enable content localisation, where OTT players can place their content servers in Penampang, establish a Content Delivery Network (CDN) node and implement an International Gateway (IGW) in the district by Q1 2023.
“As a human-centred technology company, TM is ready to play the role of a strategic partner in realising Sabah’s digital agenda in multiple ways, including developing competitive and competent digital talents for Sabah’s Digital Economy through scholarships, education collaboration with MMU as well as job opportunities,” said Imri.
TM is also ready to collaborate and offer comprehensive custom digital solutions to Sabah’s public sector and business community, with Digital Government, Digital Marketplace, unifi Business Club as well as its comprehensive Cloud, Data Centre and Cybersecurity offerings, in addition to its suite of Smart City solutions.
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Orbix International School takes safety seriously by adopting TM R&D’s EWAR
TM R&D assists Orbix International School in adhering to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) with deployment of EWAR towards curbing the spread of COVID-19 virus. Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), through its innovation arm, TM Research & Development (TM R&D), further promotes the adoption of digital solutions in the education sector by deploying its Early Warning, Alert & Response or "EWAR" at Orbix International School (Orbix), a private school in Muar, Johor. EWAR is an Artificial Intelligence (A.I) driven contactless temperature screening solution internally-developed by TM R&D. In an effort to digitalise the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) outlined for schools, Orbix has installed EWAR Compact, one (1) of EWAR's product categories, within their premise to better facilitate the temperature screenings of their students, teachers and visitors towards curbing the spread of COVID-19 virus. Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Sharlene Thiagarajah, Chief Executive Officer, TM R&D said, "We are honoured to be working with an educational institution such as Orbix to deploy our cost-effective and innovative solution in response to the required safety protocols. This illustrates the flexibility and readiness of education vertical in adapting to the new normal. At TM R&D, we are ever ready to assist businesses and organisations to get back on their feet safely." "We truly believe that deploying the EWAR Compact at schools or any educational institutions can provide students and teachers with a near-normal return to school experience as possible. We hope that this effort can encourage other schools and educational institutions to install EWAR Compact and simplify the adoption of the new SOPs in our battle against COVID-19." EWAR Compact is an AI-driven, one-on-one contactless thermal screening solution with a high accuracy of +/- 0.3℃, fast (~1sec) detection and voice prompt. In addition, AI-based facial recognition capabilities can also be applied with the solution. With EWAR Compact, students and teachers can go to schools with peace of mind, knowing that their schools are using the most effective technology available to safeguard their health. "Besides that, we are delighted to see more schools adopting digital solutions as this will expose teachers and students on how technology can help improve lives through safety. The exposure to EWAR Compact will also help students to experience digitalisation in action first-hand, and witness the benefits of digital adoption even before they enter the workforce. We hope this will help groom an industry-forward talent pool which will subsequently drive the nation's digital aspiration, befitting TM Group's role of the enabler of Digital Malaysia," she added. "Deploying EWAR Compact was a vital step for us as we were looking for the most effective technology available in safeguarding the health of our students and teachers. So far, we have received positive feedback on how EWAR Compact has enhanced the efficiency of temperature taking while simultaneously improving social distancing," said Govindan Nair, Chief Marketing Officer of Orbix Education. "The students especially have shared that they like how interactive the solution is. As we are firmly committed to ensuring the health and safety of our students, it is also important for us to expose our students to how innovation results in real-world solutions," he added. Back in July, TM R&D has successfully installed EWAR Compact at 12 selected schools under the purview of Bangsar / Pudu District Education Office (PPDBP) namely Victoria Institution, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Dato' Lokman, SMK Seri Saujana, SMK Desa Petaling, SMK Cochrane, SMK Taman Maluri, SMK Alam Damai, SMK Bukit Jalil, SMK Dato' Onn, SMK (P) Bandaraya, SMK Convent Jalan Peel and SMK Seri Permaisuri. During the early stages of the Movement Control Order (MCO), TM R&D has introduced two (2) main product categories under EWAR, namely EWAR Crowd and EWAR Compact as part of its contribution in the fight against COVID-19. The solution comes with four (4) main capabilities that close the critical loop from detection to containment. It is non-intrusive and has use-cases for both crowd and one-on-one scanning, respectively. EWAR Crowd comes with a dual-camera (thermal and optical) and is designed to conduct a rapid body temperature screening of approximately 10-15 individuals per second simultaneously at high traffic areas. It can easily be deployed in locations with mass traffic flow such as offices, shopping complexes, transportation hubs, universities, schools, tourist attractions, airports, immigration centres, and hospitals. EWAR Compact on the other hand is more suitable for a one-on-one contactless thermal screening. This can eliminate the need of the hand-held temperature taking, which can subsequently improve social distancing and minimise long queues. Both EWAR models have been installed at more than 150 sites across several industry verticals and have gone regional to help keep businesses safe beyond Malaysian shores. The solutions have been installed at the quarantine and treatment centre for COVID-19 cases at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park (MAEPS) in Serdang, large and mid-size office lobbies, hotels, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) payment counters, various sales galleries and Gamuda Land construction sites, just to name a few. TM R&D has been growing from strength to strength since 2016, winning seven (7) globally recognised awards over the last two (2) years. Our innovations cut across multiple verticals such as the Smart Retail Analytics and Smart Safety Helmet, all developed internally by local talents in TM R&D. As the organisation continues to expand beyond connectivity and into new value-added digital and smarter platforms, its role in TM has become more prominent and exciting. For more information about TM R&D and its products and services, please log on to www.tmrnd.com.my. Follow us on LinkedIn (TM Research & Development) for more news and updates.
Jangkau Digital TM Reimagines Kampung Mukut, Pulau Tioman as Malaysia’s First Smart Eco-Village, Driving Rural Digital Inclusion and Nation-Building
KUALA LUMPUR, 14 August 2025 – Telekom Malaysia Berhad (“TM” or “the Group”) has identified Kampung Mukut, Pulau Tioman as the first village for its inaugural Jangkau Digital programme, reimagining the small coastal settlement as a Smart Eco-Village that blends digital connectivity, economic empowerment, education, and environmental stewardship. The initiative is aligned with the Government’s call for organisations to contribute in uplifting rural communities through sustainable and inclusive development. Home to just over 100 residents, Kampung Mukut is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, lush rainforests, serene waterfall, and the towering Dragon Horns of Tioman. Its remoteness has also meant limited access to connectivity and public infrastructure, challenges that Jangkau Digital seeks to address while preserving the village’s unique culture and biodiversity. The programme in Mukut was officially launched by His Royal Highness The Sultan Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, during his recent visit to the village. Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, TM’s Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer said, “Jangkau Digital TM is about building the right foundations for communities to thrive, from expanding digital access, to unlocking new economic opportunities, nurturing future-ready talent, and safeguarding environment. It reflects our role as a nation builder, ensuring that even the most remote communities are part of Malaysia’s digital future. In Mukut, we are working closely with the community and the Tioman Development Authority as our strategic partner to demonstrate that rural and island villages can progress sustainably, while preserving the heritage and natural beauty that make them unique.” Digital Foundation for Inclusive Growth The transformation begins with robust digital infrastructure across Pulau Tioman. The 75km submarine cable from Kuala Rompin that was deployed by TM, forms the backbone that connects the entire island to Malaysia’s national digital network, effectively bringing the world to Tioman and Tioman to the world. This is followed by the rollout of high-speed fibre broadband and expanded mobile coverage that now reaches all key settlements and tourism hotspots. This upgrade ensures that residents, businesses and visitors across Tioman enjoy stable, high-quality internet access, a critical enabler for economic activity, education, and tourism. In Kampung Mukut, this connectivity has been further strengthened with the installation of outdoor WiFi spanning the village from the jetty and school to the mosque, eateries, homestays, and along scenic trails, enabling tourists to navigate, locals to run online businesses, and students to participate in virtual learning without interruption. Complementing this, TM’s Vision AI CCTV systems have also been deployed at strategic points to improve public safety, manage visitor flows and support responsible tourism in line with Mukut’s eco-tourism appeal. MSME Empowerment & Economic Upliftment With strong digital connectivity as the foundation, entrepreneurs in Mukut are now better positioned to tap into the digital economy. Tourism operators, guesthouses, and boat service providers have been onboarded to visitmukut.com – a community-managed tourism portal powered by TM and enhanced with AI to deliver an end-to-end experience, from discovering Mukut’s natural beauty to booking and engaging with local operators. This is integrated with the Unifi Business Go Bookit app for seamless visitor experiences. This transition to online visibility is strengthening business resilience, particularly for operators who once depended solely on walk-in visitors. To support this shift, TM will conduct targeted training sessions to equip local MSMEs with skills in booking management, social media promotion, and digital content creation, with additional support extended to B40 entrepreneurs via the Sejahtera MADANI programme. By building these capabilities, TM aims to ensure that the economic benefits of tourism are shared more broadly across the community, while positioning Mukut as a destination that is digitally accessible. Equipping Students and Teachers for the Future The Jangkau Digital TM also brings the TM Future Skills (TMFS) to SK Mukut as the Champion School. SK Mukut is now linked to SMK Tekek, Tioman’s “nucleus” digital hub school, enabling resource-sharing and access to advanced digital tools. Through this collaboration, students are exposed to coding, robotics, 3D printing and AI learning modules – subjects that previously seemed out of reach in rural settings. Teachers in Mukut also benefit from training programmes that help them integrate STEM content into lessons and maximise the use of digital tools. Beyond the classroom, TM is investing in capability building for the community’s core sporting tradition - sailing. Efforts include upgrading essential infrastructure such as dedicated walkway and slipway to provide safe and convenient access to the waterfront. The Group also goes the extra mile by providing a comprehensive coach training and talent development programme, and providing official sports attire for the school’s sailing team. These initiatives are designed to inspire the students, enhance competitive readiness, and cultivate a new generation of talent capable of competing at the highest levels. This integrated approach ensures that Mukut’s youth can excel both in academics and in sports, proving that rural communities can nurture future champions on multiple fronts. Preserving Environment and Biodiversity In preserving Mukut’s charm, TM is embedding environmental stewardship into every aspect of development. The village’s coral reefs, rainforest trails, and marine biodiversity are recognised as irreplaceable assets, and planned coral protection and trail conservation programmes will ensure these remain intact for future generations. TM’s sustainability commitment extends to the seabed where the presence of submarine cables naturally fosters the formation of artificial reefs, providing vital habitats for marine life and cultivating to long-term biodiversity ecosystem. To further support eco-tourism safety, TM is enhancing measures to ensure the safety of both tour guides and hikers on treks to the Dragon Horns including providing GPS trackers and other digital solutions, helping Mukut maintain its reputation as a safe, well-managed destination for adventure tourism. By combining digital technology with environmental care, Jangkau Digital TM reinforces the idea that progress in rural communities can go hand in hand with sustainability. Greater Purpose of TM “Our aspiration to become Malaysia’s Digital Powerhouse by 2030 is grounded in our greater purpose to enable progress that is inclusive, sustainable, and meaningful for all. When students in Mukut can explore robotics, local entrepreneurs can reach customers worldwide, and young athletes can train for national glory, all while preserving their environment, we see the true value of digital transformation. Jangkau Digital TM in Mukut is just the beginning, and we are committed to extending this progress to other rural islands and communities across the nation,” concluded Amar.
TM announces appointment of new chairman; records highest appreciation to predecessor
Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) today announced the departure of Tan Sri Dato' Seri Mohd Bakke Salleh as Chairman of TM Board with effect on 31 July 2021 and the appointment of its new Chairman, Dato' Mohammed Azlan Hashim effective 1 August 2021. On behalf of TM Group, the Board of Directors, expressed their highest appreciation to Tan Sri Dato' Seri Mohd Bakke Salleh for his leadership and contribution to the TM Group during his tenure. "The entire Board, management and Warga TM would like to record our heartfelt gratitude to Tan Sri Dato' Seri Mohd Bakke, an exemplary role model in upholding governance and integrity and a highly respected corporate figure; who has brought his vast insights in industry and commercial to benefit the TM Group. Together with the Board, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) and management, we have charted the next phase of growth for the company under the New TM Transformation 2021-2023, anchored on 40+ Value Programmes. This has already seen a strong start with quarterly growth across all lines of business and improved operations. Under his stewardship, TM has also continued to serve and support the nation throughout the Movement Control Order (MCO) period, ensuring Malaysians stay safe and connected at home and remain productive; whilst extending humanitarian aid to those in need during these challenging times." Tan Sri Dato' Seri Mohd Bakke was appointed as Chairman of TM Board in May 2020. Commenting on the new Chairman's appointment, the Board said, "We are happy to welcome Dato' Mohammed Azlan Hashim as the new Chairman of TM Board. He is a highly respected corporate figure with extensive experience in investment and financial services; most notably as a Board member of Khazanah Nasional Berhad (Khazanah) and the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF). He brings a wealth of industry and commercial insights, which will broaden and enrich the Board's overall expertise. We look forward to Dato' Azlan's guidance, counsel and leadership as the Company continues on its transformation journey and next phase of growth and value creation. As the enabler of Digital Malaysia, TM is committed to playing our part to support all our customer segments across homes, businesses, industry as well as the public sector with connectivity, digital infrastructure and solutions towards economic recovery." "We would like to wish Tan Sri Dato' Seri Mohd Bakke all the best in his future undertakings. On that note, we would also like to welcome Dato' Mohammed Azlan as the new Chairman of TM," concluded the Board. PROFILE OF DATO' MOHAMMED AZLAN HASHIM Dato' Mohammed Azlan Hashim is presently a Board member of Khazanah since 1 April 2020. He is also a Board member and the Investment Panel Chairman of the EPF. He is also currently the Chairman of several public listed entities including D&O Green Technologies Berhad, Marine & General Berhad and IHH Healthcare Berhad. He has extensive working experience in the corporate sectors including financial services and investments. Among others, he served as Chief Executive of Bumiputra Merchant Bankers Berhad, Managing Director of Amanah Capital Malaysia Berhad and Executive Chairman of Bursa Malaysia Berhad. He holds a Bachelor of Economics from Monash University, Melbourne and is a qualified Chartered Accountant. He is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Australia, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, and Member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants.
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