Malaysia Can Match Global Standards In Address System – Geoscape Australia CTO

KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has the potential to develop a more efficient National Address System (NAS), comparable to those of other developed nations such as Australia, according to Geoscape Australia's Chief Technical Officer, Joseph Abhayaratna.

He said this was due to the shared characteristics in terms of administrative structure, and technical challenges in developing the system, which was aimed to serve as the main reference for managing addresses nationwide.

"Both countries have multiple states and territorial jurisdictions, each with its own address databases and lists. So, I believe we share a similar starting point.

"Along with the similar challenges we faced in urban addressing, I believe what we have been able to achieve in Australia is also applicable to the Malaysian context," he told reporters when met at the National Address Conference 2025, here today.

Prior to this, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has essentially agreed to implement the NAS during the Digital Economy and Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Council meeting on June 24 last year.

Fahmi said the system has also been identified as a “needle mover” under the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint and the National 4IR Policy, aimed at realising the government’s aspiration to make Malaysia a high-income nation driven by digitalisation and a regional leader in the digital economy.

Abhayaratna noted that Australia's NAS, developed by Geoscape, had contributed over AUD 1.4 billion in economic value, establishing it as one of the country’s key national assets.

“It’s a very conservative estimate, but it gives you a sense of the kind of value you can derive from this. I believe these kinds of drivers, and what we’ve been able to accomplish in Australia, show what can be achieved under the right circumstances with proper planning,” he said.

He also praised Malaysia’s efforts through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in developing the NAS as a unified and authoritative address system officially endorsed by the government.

He also expressed confidence that this initiative would benefit more people by enabling a more efficient and well-organised data system in this country.

The 2025 National Address Conference, taking place today and tomorrow, features 15 presentations by both local and international speakers.

The opening ceremony is scheduled to be officiated by Fahmi tomorrow.

--BERNAMA