Credit : RTM
DOHA, November 9, 2026 — Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil delivered Malaysia’s national policy statement at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 (PP-26) in Doha, outlining the country’s connectivity record, online-safety laws and bid to keep its ITU Council seat for 2027–2030. (Video: RTM)
Speaking from the conference podium, Fahmi congratulated Qatar on hosting PP-26 and thanked the ITU for bringing member states together on digital development. “For Malaysia, connectivity is about creating opportunities, empowering communities, and improving lives,” he told delegates.
He said Malaysia’s national digital network, JENDELA, had continued to expand coverage in underserved areas. As of September 2026, internet coverage had reached 99.75 per cent of populated areas, with 31.3 million 5G subscriptions, he said. Malaysia now wants to push connectivity beyond populated zones into key economic corridors such as ports, railway networks and highways, and asked the ITU to explore that approach with member states.
Through 1,099 National Information Dissemination Centres (NADI), Malaysia is building digital skills and entrepreneurship at community level. Fahmi said NADI joined the ITU’s Digital Transformation Centres network in April this year.
Meaningful connectivity must also be safe and trusted, he argued. Malaysia’s Online Safety Act 2025, which came into effect in January, strengthens platform accountability and protects users, particularly children, from online harms. A nationwide internet-safety campaign has reached more than three million participants, promoting digital literacy and responsible online behaviour, he said.
Turning to emerging technology, Fahmi said governments and industry must build trust and interoperability for quantum communications through common standards, equipment testing and a phased move to quantum-resistant cryptography without disrupting essential services. Malaysia is preparing a national plan to shift critical information infrastructure to post-quantum cryptography. He said he had asked the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to engage the National Security Council, the National Cyber Security Agency and telecommunications operators on a shared research and development testbed.
Malaysia has been an ITU member since 1958 and currently sits on the ITU Council. “As Malaysia seeks re-election to the ITU Council for the 2027–2030 term, we respectfully seek the continued support of fellow member states for Malaysia’s candidature,” Fahmi said, closing with thanks in Malay, English and Arabic.
The address matches the programme he flagged earlier on X, when he said he would deliver the national policy statement at the first plenary and stressed that Malaysia’s participation was important for retaining the Council seat. PP-26 is held every four years and sets the direction for global telecommunications and digital connectivity.
The speech, circulated by Fahmi’s office with a request that media credit RTM for the video, moves the story on from his earlier X post announcing that he would speak at the first plenary. The delivered text sets out concrete domestic figures and a clear Council re-election ask, while tying Malaysia’s JENDELA and NADI programmes to wider ITU themes of inclusive and trusted connectivity.
May Allah guide Malaysia’s work with fellow ITU members as the Council campaign and the wider digital agenda advance.
Video credit: RTM
Source: Fahmi Fadzil on X; RTM video of the ITU PP-26 policy statement (Drive share circulated by the minister’s office).
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