28 Dec 2022
ACES Awards 2022 recognises TM R&D as the innovative tech company of the year
In recognition of its transformative approach to software and technology that can lead to the creation of new approaches and prospects
Telekom Research & Development Sdn Bhd (TM R&D), the innovation arm of Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), recently won the Innovative Tech Companies of the Year Award at the Asia Corporate Excellence and Sustainability Awards (ACES) 2022, organised by MORS Group. The award was conferred to TM R&D in recognition of its transformative approach to software and technology, demonstrating that its tech innovations can lead to the creation of new approaches and prospects.
Dr Sharlene Thiagarajah, Chief Executive Officer, TM R&D accepted the award from Shanggari B., Chief Executive Officer of MORS Group and Luis Nieto, one of the juries for the ACES Awards 2022.
“This is a proud moment for the TM R&D team. Winning this award illustrates that we are on the right track. The transformative approach in our work will help propel Malaysia to be a nation of producers, instead of consumers. Our ability to produce will lead to greater sustainability of our country,” Dr Sharlene expressed her gratitude on receiving the award. “Our achievements are shaped by the discipline, focus and determination we have instilled, and I would like to thank our team for their commitment towards excellence.”
TM R&D is a world-class R&D company that helps businesses solve operational issues and co-create solutions for the global market. It focuses on intelligent platforms, IR4.0 technologies and connectivity to create smarter business ecosystems. The company strives to stay relevant with new innovative solutions that the market cannot do without and takes on projects that provide multifold benefits to organisations.
Among its strengths is the local in-house talents that can make, create and innovate as well as provide thought leadership on infrastructure for the future. Acknowledging that nurturing talent is crucial to the business, TM R&D also offers emerging skills learning and development programmes such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Data Science & Analytics and Data Engineering for its employees.
Because its products and solutions are developed in-house, TM R&D is able to customise its innovations based on customers’ needs, addressing their specific pain points and meeting their customers demand (B2B2C) – embracing the Group’s aspiration of becoming a human-centred TechCo. Every product and solution that is developed contains embedded security, analytics and AI hence expanding its functionalities and delivering maximum benefits to the users.
TM R&D’s main aspiration is to create and deliver the next Unicorn for TM and ultimately for Malaysia. To support this, it holds fast to the three (3) pillars of its business, which are exploratory research, co-creation with industry, and commercialisation thus making life and business easier with smarter ecosystems to enrich humanity and bring progress to nations.
The ACES awards is among the most prestigious accolades that recognise inspiring leaders and sustainability advocates cross-industry across Asia. The awards value services and achievements of businesses of any nature respected for their contributions to their communities and the world. For more info about ACES Awards, visit https://www.acesawards.com/.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
TM Wins Big at PC.Com Awards 2023
TM continued to solidify its position as Malaysia’s most trusted converged telco and technology company, when it was recognised with four (4) main awards at PC.com Awards 2023 held recently, including CEO of the Year award, won by its Group Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Imri Mokhtar, making the night a special and memorable one for the Company. The other three (3) awards included “Best Fixed Broadband Service Provider” by Unifi, Unifi Business secured “Best Business Fixed Broadband Service Provider” and “Best Enterprise Telco” went to TM One. Present to receive the awards on behalf of TM were Shazurawati Abd Karim, Executive Vice President, TM One; Anand Vijayan, Executive Vice President, Unifi; and Ts. Mohamad Yusman Ammeran, Head of SME, Unifi Business, along with the CEO of the Year award winner Datuk Imri Mokhtar. When accepting the CEO of the Year award, Datuk Imri said: “I am receiving this award on behalf of our 19,000 strong Warga TM nationwide. This award truly belongs to all Warga TM. Your camaraderie and your commitment is an inspiration to me and to everyone. “I would like to extend our utmost appreciation to all our customers - our home, SME and enterprise customers - for your trust in TM to serve your needs. A special appreciation also goes to our delivery ecosystem, including our partners. Without all of you, we couldn't have achieved what we have achieved, and we couldn’t overcome the obstacles that we had overcome. So once again, thank you very much to everyone.” He further thanked PC.com for the accolade and acknowledgement. “Voted as the winner in three categories under Telecommunication and Network, reflected our position as the top performer and the preferred choice among the industry players. We deeply appreciate the unwavering support, trust, and loyalty from our customers; these have been the cornerstone of our success bringing us this far. We will continue to innovate and humanise technologies, so we can deliver more interesting and comprehensive offerings in home, mobile and entertainment services to serve the needs of Malaysians, towards shaping a Digital Malaysia,” concluded Datuk Imri commenting on the wins.
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 reinforces commitment for employee welfare & safety; signs new Collective Agreement with NUTE for 2022-2024
Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) signed its twelfth (12th) Collective Agreement (CA) last week, on 24 August 2022, with the National Union of Telecommunications Employees (NUTE) for the period of 2022-2024. Consecutively, the CA was also signed between NUTE and TM's subsidiaries, namely Telekom Sales & Services Sdn Bhd, TM Info-Media Sdn Bhd, GITN Sdn Bhd and TM R&D Sdn Bhd. About 8,000 non-executive employees in Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan were covered by this CA. It includes employment enhancements for various terms and conditions, including salary adjustment and cost of living allowances among others. It is also aimed to enhance and boost employees’ productivity and work performance. Representing TM Group for the CA signing was Imri Mokhtar, Group Chief Executive Officer and Sarinah Abu Bakar, Chief Human Capital Officer while NUTE was represented by its President, Mohd Jafar Abd Majid, and Mohamad Farid Mohamad Daud, General Secretary of NUTE. The signing ceremony was also witnessed by Tan Sri Mohammed Azlan Hashim, Chairman of TM. “The new CA demonstrates TM’s unwavering commitment and strong industrial partnership with NUTE towards the well-being of our employees. Our people – Warga TM, is the impetus behind our achievements, they are the engine driving TM’s performance. It is hoped that the harmonious relationship between both parties will fuel the continuous growth of TM, inculcating a high-performance working culture and realise TM’s aspiration to become a Human-Centred Tech Company,” said Imri Mokhtar, TM’s Group Chief Executive Officer.
NEWSLETTER
Just drop your details and stay updated with the world of Telekom Malaysia. We promise – no spam!