During the recent Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Ministerial Meeting (APT-MM) held in Tokyo from 30 to 31 May 2025, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil highlighted its strategic shift to a dual 5G network and called for enhanced regional cooperation on online safety.
At the meeting, Fahmi shared the nation's experience in rolling out dual 5G infrastructure and emphasised major initiatives like the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA) and the Point of Presence (PoP) program, aimed at improving digital connectivity nationwide. At the same time, he also stressed the growing importance of digital security in the region.
With that, Fahmi urged regulators from member countries to strengthen oversight in response to rising threats such as online gambling and cyber fraud. He proposed that APT members should hold annual senior officials' meetings and technical workshops to exchange best practices. A reference was also made to Australia's legal framework on online safety as a potential model for the region, and hoped that a team could discuss to learn, evaluate and see if the regulations are suitable in Malaysia.
Malaysia reaffirmed its commitment to the global digital agenda by announcing its bid to remain on the ITU Council for the 2027–2030 term, seeking continued support from fellow APT members. Fahmi also held bilateral discussions with counterparts from Japan, Indonesia, Fiji, China, Iran, and Australia, as well as representatives from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the GSM Association (GSMA).
The meeting concluded with the adoption of the “Tokyo Statement 2025,” which outlines six strategic priorities: digital connectivity, innovation and entrepreneurship, trust and security, inclusion and capacity-building, environmental sustainability, and regional-international cooperation.
Held under the theme “Harnessing Emerging Technologies for Sustainable, Inclusive and Equitable Digital Transformation in the Asia-Pacific,” the APT-MM 2025 gathered representatives from 31 member nations and 19 affiliate organizations, including government bodies, regulators, and private sector players.
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