The adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) is expected to grow considerably in Malaysia embarks on various 5G use cases around the country.
With 5G-enabled precision farming, for example, the agriculture industry stands to reap the amount currently lost to imports.
According to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, the smart agriculture use case features an AI-driven automation platform that allows predictive growth modelling. Remote global monitoring and control, thus, making farming possible anywhere.
The 5G technology is also enabling the country’s smart city use case. It is an Integrated Command Centre equipped with advanced security features for real-time surveillance large scale monitoring by local authorities and backed up by analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet-of-Things (IoT) and data-driven insights.
The Malaysia Minister of Communications and Multimedia stated that said 5G will enable the country to produce and manufacture more high-quality goods and services while further benefiting the people with better products and services.
He noted that recognising its potential, the government of Malaysia, through the MCMC, is leading the way by proactively taking the necessary steps to develop this new and emerging ecosystem.
The Minister made these statements during his opening speech at the first 5G Malaysia International Conference in Langkawi.
The conference focused on 5G technology’s potential as a catalyst for the achievement of sustainable development goals, digital inclusivity and the global roadmap for the technology among other topics.
By 2025, Malaysia is expected to add RM12.7 million to its GDP through the implementation of 5G, creating 39,000 new jobs.
The site of the conference is positioning itself as the first 5G island in the world, with 35 of the 5G use cases in Malaysia being based there.
These use cases are collectively known as the Langkawi Trials, which comprised of a third of all of Malaysia 5G use cases.
There are another 72 5G use cases involving nine industry verticals at 56 live sites across the country, with a total investment of RM 143 million from industry players.
International Collaboration
In December 2019, OpenGov Asia reported that The Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) announced that it is collaborating with a consortium consisting of Malaysian and South Korean companies to bring an integrated large-scale livestock farming and renewable energy (RE) generation project to Sabah that could generate an investment of up to RM8.34 billion over the next five years.
The proposal was presented to the Minister of International Trade and Industry by the companies involved in a meeting organised by MARii.
The meeting was held in conjunction with Prime Minister two-day official visit to Seoul which begins on 4 December 2019.
The Chief Executive Officer of MARii stated that the consortium had secured US$50 million in funding for the first phase of the project to build a solar power plant that could generate 200 megawatts (MW) of electricity over 5,000 hectares.
At its maturity stage, the project would span across 25,000 hectares to accommodate a maximum of 150,000 cattle and generate 1,000 MW of power through rooftop solar panels installed on the roof of barns and warehouses.
The project will create a new concept of smart farming in which the primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary industries, including livestock farming business and industrial complex, manufacturing and service industries, grow.
More importantly, the project would also collaborate with local farmers on the cultivation of forage crops such as kenaf, corn, wheat and hay for livestock.
Malaysia appears to be headed down the right track with its massive rollout of 5G and widespread application areas it is being tested in.
