Kuala lumpur: Pos Malaysia’s autonomous vehicle initiative is set to significantly enhance productivity and operational efficiency in managing postal items, particularly within internal facility operations. This development precedes its potential rollout to broader phases.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil described the initiative as a forward-looking step that aligns with technological advancements in enhancing the operations of the national postal service. This project marks a milestone in Malaysia’s postal sector, paving the way for broader utilization of autonomous vehicles in the future.
Fahmi acknowledged the challenges faced by the mail delivery sector as a legacy service but emphasized the need for a shift towards a sustainable business model to ensure service continuity. He made these remarks during a press conference following the launch of Pos Malaysia’s autonomous vehicle and the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Pos Malaysia and Autonomous Logistics Solutions (ALS) for a proof of concept (POC) project at the National Mail Centre.
The initiative involves collaboration across multiple ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, MRANTI, Digital Nasional Berhad, and other strategic partners. For the POC project, Pos Malaysia will test the autonomous vehicle at the National Mail Centre over three to six months, pending full approval from the Ministry of Transport.
Fahmi stated that the initial use of the autonomous vehicle would target intermediate routes, such as from the mail centre to major post offices, rather than home deliveries. He emphasized the importance of digital infrastructure readiness, including robust 5G coverage, to support the government’s national digital infrastructure policy for future technologies.
The minister assured that the introduction of this technology would not lead to job losses, underscoring the government’s commitment to protecting workers’ welfare. He highlighted the importance of retraining and upskilling workers to handle more complex tasks alongside technology adoption.
Fahmi also discouraged sectors from using technologies like artificial intelligence and automation as reasons for widespread layoffs. On the matter of government support, he mentioned that the Ministry of Communications has allocated RM50 million to help Pos Malaysia meet its Universal Service Obligation (USO) for nationwide mail delivery. The funds will be disbursed once the Postal Services Fund is operational, expected in the third quarter of this year, under the ministry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).