Amar says TM is focused on providing access, building long-term capability and empowerment to ensure all Malaysians can thrive and actively participate in the digital economy.
TELEKOM Malaysia Bhd (TM) has long stood for connectivity, and today it is proving that this is only the beginning. As Malaysia moves toward an AI-driven, low-carbon future, TM is showing how innovation and nation-building can advance together, especially as digital access shapes participation in the modern economy.
Its group chief executive officer and managing director Amar Huzaimi Md Deris says: “Nation-building is deeply embedded in TM’s greater purpose of ensuring digital inclusivity and every Malaysian has access and opportunity in the digital economy. Telekom is for the people, for every Malaysian, in every corner of the country.”
Bridging the digital divide
A standout example of TM’s human-centred approach is Jangkau Digital, an initiative aimed at uplifting underserved communities through blended connectivity, digital empowerment and education.
“The Jangkau Digital initiative exemplifies this commitment, where we have reimagined Kampung Mukut, a little coastal settlement in Pulau Tioman, into a Smart Eco-Village that blends digital connectivity, economic empowerment for MSMEs, education and environmental stewardship,” says Amar.
With village-wide outdoor WiFi, AI-enabled CCTVs, digital tourism platforms like visitmukut.com, STEM-focused learning for students, and support for local sailing talents, Mukut is experiencing real, measurable change.
“Together, these efforts uplift the community by expanding economic opportunities, improving safety, and opening new pathways for young talent,” he notes.
He adds that through programmes like TM Future Skills, TM is equipping students across 35 adopted schools nationwide over a three-year programme with practical exposure to STEM education, 3D design, AI, robotics, and coding via Digital Hubs and Corners. This benefits more than 60,000 students including those from surrounding schools.
Getting AI-ready
As Malaysia embraces AI across industries, TM is scaling its infrastructure to ensure the country remains competitive but sustainably.
“At TM, sustainability is at the core of our data centre growth strategy. In 2024, 54% of our data centre energy came from renewable energy sources. That was a key milestone in our carbon reduction journey,”Amar says.
This commitment is reflected in TM’s new generation of AI-ready, energy-efficient data centres, which include the upcoming TM Nxera in Johor and expansions of its Klang Valley Data Centre (KVDC) in Cyberjaya and the Iskandar Puteri Data Centre (IPDC) – all of which are engineered to achieve Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) as low as 1.3.
Beyond power efficiency, TM incorporates rainwater harvesting, enhanced water management and AI-driven network optimisation to further reduce operational emissions.
“These technologies allow for dynamic, real-time optimisation of power usage across our infrastructure and enable predictive maintenance, which prevents energy-intensive equipment failures and extends hardware lifespan.”
Meanwhile, Amar points out that TM helps thousands of Malaysian businesses eliminate the need for their own energy-intensive hardware and reduce the nation’s collective carbon footprint by providing cloud services, GPU-as-a-Service and shared infrastructure solutions.
Building an ESG ecosystem
Transforming one of Malaysia’s largest, most energy-intensive infrastructures comes with challenges, but TM is meeting them head-on.
“The biggest challenge is scale. TM operates one of the largest and most energy-intensive infrastructures in Malaysia; data centres, fibre networks, exchanges, and towers running 24/7, while the national grid still relies heavily on fossil fuels.
“To address this, we modernised our network by implementing AI-powered systems that actively manage and optimise energy consumption in real-time, alongside predictive maintenance protocols,” Amar says.
TM’s renewable transition began with the Green Electricity Tariff, and has since expanded into Solar Power Purchase Agreements (SPPAs), exploring Large-Scale Solar (LSS), and Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Schemes (CRESS).
Today, three of TM’s data centres hold ISO 50001 certification for energy management. There are more on the way. For businesses embarking on their sustainability journey, Amar offers three essential pillars:
“Begin with a clear statement of purpose. Map out a structured and realistic journey and invest in building capacity and capabilities across the organisation.”
Championing positive ESG impact
As main sponsor of the ESG Positive Impact Awards (ESG PIA) 2025 by Star Media Group (SMG), TM aims to inspire broader adoption of meaningful sustainability practices across Malaysia.
“For TM, sponsoring the ESG PIA is a direct contribution to help strengthen Malaysia’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) ecosystem.
“Platforms like the ESG PIA play an important role by showcasing real examples of effective ESG practices, recognising organisations and industry leaders that are leading the way, and encouraging others to raise their standards.
“When more businesses adopt stronger ESG practices, it ultimately supports Malaysia’s long-term ESG resilience,” says Amar.
Looking ahead, TM’s journey is guided by its aspiration to become Malaysia’s Digital Powerhouse by 2030, with sustainability, inclusion and innovation at its core.
“Malaysia’s digital future will depend on how well we balance innovation with environmental, social and inclusive growth.
“TM’s role is to enable this shift, ensuring that the benefits of digital progress reach businesses and communities nationwide.”
With a people-first purpose, climate-aligned infrastructure and a commitment to nation-building, TM is connecting and empowering every Malaysian to move confidently into the digital future.
