Malaysia is preparing to test a new smartphone-based disaster alert system next month. According to recent reports, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is now in the final phase of developing the Cell Broadcast System (CBS), with a live test scheduled for 19 November 2026.
The upcoming exercise will test the system’s ability to deliver emergency notifications directly to mobile phones. The test is expected to cover selected high-risk areas, including flood-prone locations in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Kelantan and Pahang, although the exercise is not an indication that an actual disaster is taking place.
This development follows the government’s announcement back in 2024. At the time, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the government was exploring smartphone-based emergency alerts as part of its plans to strengthen flood preparedness. The proposal involved using a system similar to those already deployed in countries such as Japan and South Korea, where mobile phones can receive emergency broadcasts without relying on conventional SMS delivery.
