30 Aug 2026
INSPIRED BY TRUE EVENTS, TM’S ‘GEMA MALAYSIA’ HONOURS THE UNSUNG HEROES BEHIND THE VOICE OF MERDEKA
KUALA LUMPUR, 30 August 2026 – When Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj proclaimed “Merdeka” on 31 August 1957, his voice echoed across Malaya, carrying the hopes of a nation newly free. Beyond Stadium Merdeka, however, another story was unfolding – a group of people working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that this historic moment could be heard across the country.
This year, Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) brings this lesser-known story to life through Gema Malaysia, a short film inspired by an article published in The Malay Mail on 31 August 1957. The film pays tribute to the unsung heroes of the then Telecommunications Department, whose dedication and sacrifice helped carry the voice of independence to the nation.
Inspired by true events, Gema Malaysia combines the emotional weight of history with creative storytelling. Where archival visual references were limited, digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) were selectively used to support the visual reconstruction of the era. These elements were guided by research and available historical references to preserve the authenticity and spirit of the story.
At its heart, the film is a reminder that behind every defining moment are people whose names may never be known—people who step forward, persevere and serve so that the nation can continue to move ahead. The title itself means “the echo of Malaysia”, reflecting how a single act of service can transcend generations and help shape its future.
Dato’ Zainal Abidin Putih, Chairman of TM, said, “Gema Malaysia pays tribute to the dedication and sense of duty of those who worked tirelessly to ensure the voice of independence reached the nation. Their story reminds us that Malaysia’s progress has always been built by people who serve with purpose and step forward when it matters most.
“As TM celebrates 80 years alongside the nation, we carry this spirit forward. As Malaysia’s digital orchestrator, we will continue to connect Malaysians to opportunity and harness technology to advance the nation. This is how we bring our aspiration to become a Digital Powerhouse by 2030 to life, carrying a progressive spirit of Merdeka towards a more inclusive future for all,” he added.
From carrying the voice of Merdeka in 1957 to enabling the possibilities of a digital nation today, TM’s journey remains closely intertwined with Malaysia’s progress. For 80 years, generations of Warga TM have upheld the responsibility of connecting communities to opportunities, Malaysia to the world, and today’s aspirations to tomorrow’s possibilities. Through Gema Malaysia, TM celebrates a progressive spirit of independence—one rooted in service, strengthened through unity and carried forward by every generation towards a more inclusive future.
Watch Gema Malaysia on YouTube at @myTMgroup.
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Telecommunications operators committed to JENDELA to deliver seamless digital connectivity for all Malaysians
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Phase 1, which starts now until 2022, will optimise existing resources and infrastructure for both mobile and fixed connectivity to: Expand 4G mobile broadband coverage from 91.8% to 96.9% in populated areas; Increase mobile broadband speeds from 25Mbps to 35Mbps; and Enable as many as 7.5 million premises to access gigabit speeds with fixed broadband services. JENDELA will firstly prioritise strengthening the nation's existing fixed and mobile networks and building a strong foundation for the eventual adoption of 5G. This will also involve the gradual retirement of 3G networks at the end of 2021. To achieve the targets in Phase 1, the Industry will look at providing wider coverage and enhanced quality of experience by upgrading and building new 4G sites, and fiberising more premises. This will be driven by extending 4G mobile coverage in rural and remote areas, improving in-door coverage for urban and suburban areas, connecting more homes with fixed broadband via fibre and other fit-for-purpose technologies (e.g. Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and satellite) to ensure widespread nationwide coverage and connectivity for all. Meanwhile, fibre providers will continue to support the industry with fibre backhaul for capacity to serve higher traffic demands expected on 4G and to ensure the fibre foundation essential for future technologies such as 5G. Phase 2 (Beyond 2022): Address the Digital Divide via Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and pave the way for 5G Phase 2 of JENDELA involves utilising FWA and other fit-for-purpose technologies to address further gaps in the digital divide, as well as priming for the nation's eventual adoption of 5G technologies; which will take place once action plans under Phase 1 are achieved. The Industry will continue to educate the public on the potential of 5G and its capabilities, through use cases applied across verticals such as manufacturing, agriculture, education, healthcare, security transportation, consumer experience, environment and smart city development. These use cases will continue to be explored under the 5G Demonstration Projects (5GDP). JENDELA: A realistic, progressive digital connectivity plan to realise Digital Malaysia JENDELA is an accelerated improvement plan where all public and private stakeholders are equally invested to deliver. This is a shared aspiration for the whole country, driven by the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia (KKMM) and MCMC in partnership with the telecommunications operators, and other agencies at the federal, state, and local council levels. The industry believes that collaboration among all parties is crucial to facilitate infrastructure rollout in a coordinated manner, with minimal impact on civil works, the public, the environment, and all aspects of the ecosystem. We look forward to working together to fulfil the objectives of JENDELA and enabling widespread quality connectivity for Malaysians nationwide. The Industry will provide periodical updates to the public on the progress of JENDELA, including initiatives undertaken as part of journey towards its aspirations.
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