MADANINET: STRENGTHENING DIGITAL ACCESS FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES
PUTRAJAYA, 6 MAY 2026 – The Ministry of Digital, through the National Digital Department (JDN), remains committed to empowering national digital access through the MADANINET Program, particularly in rural and remote areas.
This strategic initiative focuses on assessing infrastructure readiness and providing high-capacity internet access via MyGov*Net services, particularly at rural and remote healthcare facilities. The program goes beyond merely providing internet connectivity; it acts as a catalyst for public sector transformation by ensuring service continuity, accelerating information delivery, and expanding the inclusive use of government digital applications.
The effectiveness of this initiative is evident in the transformation of the digital healthcare sector. With stable connectivity, services such as telemedicine, electronic health records, and real-time patient monitoring can now be executed more efficiently. These efforts not only enhance the operational quality of rural clinics but also bridge the digital divide by ensuring that remote communities have access to quality treatment on par with urban areas.
As of April 2026, a total of 2,883 facilities under the Ministry of Health (MOH) have been successfully connected through the MyGov*Net integrated telecommunications network. This network utilizes a variety of technologies tailored to geographical suitability, including fibre optics, cellular, Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), and Very Small Aperture Terminal High Throughput Satellite (VSAT HTS). In areas with geographical constraints for fibre optic installation, VSAT HTS and cellular technologies serve as the primary alternatives to guarantee uninterrupted service continuity for the agency.
To ensure that the quality of service remains at an optimum level, the MADANINET Program also incorporates an on-site inspectorate role. Since October 2022, the top management of the Ministry of Digital, JDN, and MOH has visited 21 selected healthcare facilities out of a total of 2,079 Health Clinics and Rural Clinics in rural areas. These visits aim to monitor program effectiveness, identify locations experiencing coverage disruptions, and address implementation issues directly on the ground.
One of the significant achievements is the deployment of VSAT HTS technology across 116 remote facilities that previously lacked fibre optic infrastructure. Through this upgrade, these facilities now enjoy internet speeds of up to 25Mbps, a drastic increase from the previous 4Mbps. This leap in speed enables administrative and clinical operations, such as the Hospital Information System (HIS), medical consultation via video conferencing, and human resource management through HRMIS, to be executed with greater efficiency and speed.
Overall, continuous monitoring will be carried out by all stakeholders to ensure that the benefits of this technology are fully realized by the people. The MADANINET initiative reflects the government's resolve to ensure that technological advancements are enjoyed by all segments of society, in line with the grand vision of driving Malaysia towards becoming an AI Nation by 2030.
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Issued by:
Ministry of Digital.
