NAS Has Potential To Generate RM2 Bln, Create 2,000 Jobs – Fahmi

KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 (Bernama) -- The National Address System (NAS) has the potential to generate RM2 billion in economic spillover and create over 2,000 new job opportunities within five years, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.

He said the focus of NAS, which is being developed by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), is to ensure that every address in the country can be identified and verified using accurate standards, and can be utilised by various agencies, services and businesses.

Although Malaysia is estimated to have around 12 million addresses, no single entity has comprehensive coverage. Most agencies that store address data have information that is non-standardised, unverified and decentralised, he said.

Speaking when opening the National Address Conference 2025 today, he said the implementation of NAS is expected to bring tangible benefits to Malaysians, adding that in cases of floods or fires, rescue teams will be able to locate victims more quickly and accurately.

“NAS can strengthen location-based sectors such as e-commerce, logistics and courier services. With precise addresses and coordinates for each destination, deliveries can be made more quickly and efficiently, while reducing the risk of misdeliveries.

“NAS is not only aimed at solving current challenges, but is also expected to bring significant socioeconomic spillover effects, including increased productivity, job creation and enhanced national competitiveness,” he said. Also present were his deputy, Teo Nie Ching, and Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa.

He said NAS is an authoritative, standardised and centralised system that compiles address data in a uniform manner based on Malaysian Standards Department guidelines. Each address will be geocoded and assigned a unique location identifier to ensure consistency, accuracy and interoperability.

“Government agencies and departments can reduce duplication issues and improve address verification, allowing for more accurate service delivery to the public. Although the current estimate is 12 million addresses, this number is expected to grow over time,” he said.

He added that the lack of centralised and comprehensive address data hinders the country’s progress toward becoming a digitally competitive nation.

“This situation has real-world implications in daily operations, including undelivered or delayed shipments, slow emergency response times, challenges in utility and infrastructure planning, and barriers to the growth of e-commerce and courier services,” he said.

According to Fahmi, NAS has also been identified as a “Needle Mover” under the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint and the National 4IR Policy, in line with the MADANI Government’s aspiration to transform Malaysia into a high-income nation driven by digitalisation.

-- BERNAMA