KUALA LUMPUR: The 999 emergency number continues to function as usual, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
"Call 999 for emergencies and please be kind to our responders or operators who work tirelessly while adapting to the new system," said the Health Minister in a post on X on Saturday (Nov 22).
He said that the SaveME999 app is an addition to the new NG MERS 999 ecosystem, refuting allegations that the 999 emergency call service became inoperable after the SaveME999 app was introduced.
Dzulkefly added that he and Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil visited the NG MERS 999 control centre at Menara Telekom and spoke with the technical team and Telekom Malaysia's top management.
He also provided clarification on several points, explaining that the contract between the Communications Ministry and Telekom contract is worth RM1.25bil over 11 years.
He said this covers the design, development, installation, testing, commissioning, operation, management and maintenance, which amounts to about RM113mil per year.
"Annual operating costs for the two applications, SaveME999 and the responder app (used by emergency personnel), is RM880k," he said, adding that the SaveME999 was in development since 2013.
He added that a special committee involving the Health and Communications ministries had been formed to monitor performance and implementation to ensure issues are addressed promptly.
"Health Ministry ambulances are always in operation," said Dzulkefly, adding that call workflows are being adjusted to a proven stable model.
"NG999 is a critical national system. Our focus is to ensure corrective actions are carried out in an orderly manner for public safety," he said.
