Kuala lumpur: The government has given its assurance that all corrective measures for the implementation of the new Next Generation Malaysian Emergency Response Services 999 (NG MERS 999) platform will be carried out systematically, guided by data and technical expertise to ensure public safety. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad stated that the Ministry of Health (MOH) continues to ensure that ambulance services operate as usual, while adjustments are being made to improve the medical call workflow in line with MOH’s needs and its proven stable operating model. He also emphasised that the 999 emergency line remains fully operational and can be contacted at any time.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Dzulkefly highlighted the importance of using the 999 line for genuine emergencies and urged the public to be considerate towards responders and operators who are working diligently while adapting to the new system. He called NG999 a critical national system. The NG MERS 999 project involves a total cost of RM1.25 billion over 11 years, which is approximately RM113 million per year. This budget covers the design, development, installation, testing, commissioning, operation, management, and maintenance of the entire system. Additionally, the annual operating cost for the SaveME999 application and the Responder App is RM880,000, or 0.78 percent. Dr Dzulkefly mentioned that SaveME999 has been in development since 2013 and serves as an enhancement to the new NG MERS 999 ecosystem.

A Joint Special Committee involving the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Health has been established to ensure the system’s effectiveness and stability. NG MERS 999 began full operations on November 16, 2025, succeeding the original MERS 999 system introduced in 2007. The new system was developed to strengthen the nation’s emergency response capabilities through a faster, more accurate, modern, and inclusive communication network.