Malaysia has officially launched the Next Generation Emergency Response Services 999 (NG MERS 999), its upgraded national emergency communication infrastructure developed through a collaboration between Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) and the Communications Ministry. The system went live on Sunday (16 November), replacing the long-running MERS 999 platform that TM had also developed and operated.
In a statement, TM said the new platform will enable faster, more accurate and more effective responses for every emergency call. A key part of the upgrade is the new SaveME 999 mobile application, which supports video calls, text messaging and multimedia-based alerts.
TM noted that these additions are designed to improve accessibility for Malaysians, including Persons with Disabilities (PwD). Traditional voice calls to 999 remain available as usual, with SaveME 999 positioned as an alternative channel for those who need it. The company also stated that Malaysia had set a new benchmark in response systems through the deployment of Advanced Mobile Location (AML), which integrates all five emergency agency platforms under 999 and improves access for people with disabilities.
The new emergency platform integrates AI-powered analytics, geolocation services and secure sovereign cloud hosting to streamline call handling and support faster decision-making. TM added that the system was built with global technology partners, aligns with European NG112 standards and meets strict ISO quality and security requirements.
The SaveME 999 app is available on iOS and Android (no HarmonyOS version just yet), and requires a multi-step registration process. Users must create a username and password, complete an ID verification step by taking a photo of their MyKad or another valid ID, verify their email address via OTP and provide additional details such as their home address.
The app also does not currently support MyDigital ID as a login option, and TM has not indicated whether this will be introduced in the future. After registration, users can log in using either biometrics or their password.
Inside the app, two main options are presented: Slide to Call 999 and Slide to Send Report. The former simply initiates a standard emergency call, which many would argue is faster to perform manually. The latter lets users submit extra information, including their location, incident type and attached media such as voice notes or videos. These details can help responders dispatch the right personnel and resources more efficiently, though the reporting feature requires an active internet connection to work.
(Source: TM press release)
