GENEVA: The Nadi Digital Inclusive Project by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has been crowned as the winner of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Award 2025.
MCMC's victory was achieved through the Nadi Pulau Banggi Initiative, which was also named the winner in the "C4: Capacity Building" category for its success in providing digital literacy, skills training, and economic opportunities to one of Malaysia's most remote island communities.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil received the award at an official ceremony held in conjunction with the WSIS+20 High-Level Event (WSIS+20) here on Monday (July 7).
"This success belongs to the community who have received digital skills for a better future as well as to all Malaysians who support the vision of an inclusive and connected nation," said Fahmi.
Head of the National Information Dissemination Centre (Nadi), Mohd Arif Adenan, said the project garnered global recognition for its efforts in empowering remote communities through digital skill development and connectivity.
"This is a very proud victory for the country, where this initiative by MCMC has proven that Malaysia can be considered a leader in the telecommunications industry worldwide," he said when met by the media here.
According to a statement issued by MCMC, Pulau Banggi, located about 70km from Kudat and only accessible by ferry or speedboat, is home to approximately 20,000 residents whose main economy is based on fishing, oil palm and rubber.
The statement mentioned that the island's remote location has limited residents' access to education, healthcare and economic growth.
"Under the Jalinan Digital Negara Plan (Jendela), Malaysia's National Digital Infrastructure Plan, the Nadi initiative has established community digital hubs that now provide high-speed internet and ICT training to fishermen, farmers, students and small business owners, equipping them with the skills to succeed in today's digital economy.
"This project has transformed the lives of residents, with youth acquiring ICT skills, women starting online micro-businesses, and local entrepreneurs expanding their markets," the statement said.
According to MCMC, following the success in Pulau Banggi, Nadi was now being expanded to other underserved areas, including Pulau Mandi Darah (in northern Sabah), with plans for nationwide expansion by 2035 through scalable training modules, community hubs and long-term funding in Sabah and Sarawak.
Meanwhile, the Pulau Ketam Stingray II Project was also recognised as the winner in the "C2: Information and Communication Infrastructure" category for its efforts in providing high-speed connectivity through the installation of a 46.4km underwater fiber optic cable between Kapar and Pulau Ketam (in Selangor).
This project enabled students to participate in online learning, families to access telemedicine services, and boosted digital business growth for small businesses.
ITU organises the WSIS Prizes in cooperation with UN agencies to celebrate information and communication technology (ICT) projects that drive progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). – Bernama
