KUALA LUMPUR: The government, in collaboration with TM, will develop and operate the country's new emergency call system, Next Generation Emergency Services 999 (NG999), to replace the existing Malaysian Emergency Responses 999 (MERS999) system. Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said NG999 is an integrated strategic digital system that will enhance resource and data sharing between emergency call centres and relevant central agencies, thereby improving the efficiency of emergency services. "The concession period is 12 years. (During this period) one year is for the development phase and 11 years for managing the service,' she said, adding that the switch from MERS999 to NG999 will officially start next year. She said this at a press conference after witnessing the exchange of an agreement between the Communications Ministry and TM at the NG999 Agreement Signing Ceremony here today. The NG999 system development agreement was signed by Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa and TM One executive vice-president Shazurawati Abd Karim. Teo said this new system integrates web-based digital maps, caller ID, geolocation services, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology and mobile smart applications into the handling of emergency incidents, which will provide more efficient assistance nationwide. She said the NG999 system will also operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will be expanded to more than 800 locations nationwide, doubling the number of locations under the existing MERS999 system. Meanwhile, TM group chief executive officer Amar Huzaimi Md Deris said TM will also introduce a new application for NG999 that allows the use of text, photos and videos for registered users. "This will improve communication quality between callers and emergency responders, thereby speeding up service delivery," he said. On a related matter, Teo said the number of prank calls to MERS999 had dropped further, with about 15,000 to 16,000 calls each month as of June this ye ar. "In 2022, there were as many as 31,000 prank calls per month, and the following year (2023) saw a slight decrease to 19,000 per month. "I want to advise Malaysians that the 999 line is for emergencies, and we want to ensure that help reaches those in genuine emergencies. Let us not waste their (victims') time and the resources we have," she said. Source: BERNAMA News Agency