20/04/2026

MONDAY | APR 20, 2026

4

Next-gen army radios shown to govt

“Additionally, the radio system is resilient against jamming and supports the transmission of large data files, including images and video, serving as a reliable backup to satellite communications. This makes it well-positioned to support not only military operations but also disaster response and remote-area emergency communications.” ADS business development director Lt Col Shane Chin said the demonstration underscored the system’s potential as a dependable backup to satellite communications, ensuring resilient connectivity during critical operations. The demonstration was conducted simultaneously across three locations – Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu using 400W systems and Lumut using a 125W system – with live streaming between sites.

10 times higher than conventional HF systems, ensuring resilient long range communications of up to 10,000km. “Fully interoperable with existing radios in the army’s inventory, the solution provides secure transmissions, low operating costs and long-range coverage in constrained environments, making it ideal for Malaysia’s tropical terrain. “Integration into existing inventory will be seamless, with plug and-play interoperability and no requirement for additional infrastructure,” he said. Riou said the April 9 demonstration highlighted stable connectivity, ease of deployment and adaptability across varied operating scenarios. He added that the system could also play a wider role beyond military use.

written statement, said Thales would provide training and knowledge transfer covering areas such as maintenance, repair and overhaul, integration and testing, to support the system’s operational readiness. Riou said ADS, meanwhile, would supply the accessories, with about 30% of the work and components to be sourced locally. . On the system’s capabilities, he said the HF XL radio was engineered to transmit significantly more data than legacy high-frequency systems while remaining compatible with the army’s existing radio inventory. “The HF XL radio system, manufactured by Thales, introduces a new generation of high-data-rate HF communications, building on Thales’ long-standing expertise in tactical radio solutions. The system is capable of delivering data rates up to

o Demonstration by defence entities connects KL, Kota Kinabalu and Lumut in real time, shows system suitable for long distance use

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

than 1,500km, involving 113 tactical radio stations, highlighting the system’s long range capabilities and potential applications in military and emergency operations. The system, if deployed by the government, is said to be the first of its kind in the region. Designed for operations over long distances and in remote terrain, the HF XL system is intended for use in areas where conventional networks are weak or unavailable. Thales Malaysia and Brunei managing director Florian Riou, in a

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s defence sector was given a glimpse of next generation battlefield communications with a live demonstration of the high frequency extended link (HF XL) radio system by Advanced Defence Systems Sdn Bhd (ADS) and French defence firm Thales recently. The demonstration, held at the Defence Ministry football field on April 9, connected Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Lumut over more

‘EV transition in Malaysia gaining momentum’

Probe into baggage system failure ordered PUTRAJAYA: The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), as the country’s sole aviation regulator, has been directed to investigate the breakdown of the baggage handling system (BHS) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 on Saturday. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the ministry views the incident seriously, noting that the disruption caused baggage delays of between two and four hours for a significant number of arriving passengers. He said the inconvenience caused is deeply regretted. “While the BHS system was restored the same evening, a technical restoration does not close the matter. Passengers who travel through our national gateway deserve a standard of service reliability that this incident has clearly failed to meet. “CAAM has been directed to investigate the matter and examine whether punitive action is warranted against Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) for this failure in service delivery,” he said in a statement yesterday. Loke said that he has instructed ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Jana Santhiran Muniayan to convene an emergency meeting with the relevant agencies first thing Monday morning. “The meeting will undertake a thorough review of the existing standard operating procedures governing breakdown management at our airports, with specific focus on response time, passenger communication and contingency protocols.” He said a national gateway cannot afford repeated lapses of this nature and MAHB, as the operator of KLIA, will be held accountable for this breakdown. Loke said beyond the immediate remedial steps, the incident points to something that must be addressed at a deeper level. “We cannot realise our aspiration of being among the world’s best airports without first inculcating a genuine culture of accountability and responsibility across the organisation. “The standard we (the aviation sector) set for ourselves must be reflected in how we respond, how we own our failures, and how we lead along the line of command. “If we are serious about our ambition to be a world-class airport, we must be equally serious about nurturing a culture of responsibility to match such an aspiration.” CAAM, in a separate statement, confirmed that operations at KLIA Terminal 1 have stabilised following a temporary disruption to the BHS over the weekend. “The system has since been restored and airport operations, including check-in and departures, have all returned to normal.”– Bernama

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s electric vehicle (EV) transition is gaining momentum, supported by expanding charging infrastructure, government incentives and growing consumer acceptance, according to industry players. The country’s EV ecosystem has improved significantly in recent years, particularly with the rapid rollout of nationwide charging networks involving multiple providers. BMW Group Malaysia said the charging landscape has developed strongly, reflecting broader industry progress rather than the efforts of any single player. Managing director Benjamin Nagel noted the growing presence of charge point operators such as Gentari, ChargEV, Yinson Greentech and JomCharge has helped improve accessibility for EV users. Through various partnerships across the industry, EV drivers now have access to more than 2,000 charging points nationwide, alongside over 100 charging facilities located at authorised dealerships and partner sites. Despite these developments, Nagel said challenges remain, particularly in raising consumer awareness and encouraging behavioural adaptation as EV adoption increases. He stressed the importance of educating users on responsible sharing of charging infrastructure to ensure efficiency and avoid congestion at popular locations. The expansion of charging networks is expected to continue beyond 2026, with reliability seen as a key factor in supporting wider adoption. For fleet operators, he said private charging remains essential for daily operations, while public infrastructure helps reduce range anxiety and improve operational flexibility. Corporate users are typically supported through a combination of on-site charging and access to public networks, making electrification more feasible for business use. Nagel also highlighted the role of government incentives and long-term policy clarity in supporting EV adoption, including tax exemptions and road tax benefits currently in place. “In many countries, government incentives have been the accelerant for rapid EV adoption and Malaysia is no exception,” he said. He added that consistent policy direction and leadership by example such as electrifying government fleets would help strengthen confidence among both businesses and

Nagel said although Malaysia’s EV ecosystem is expanding, challenges remain, especially in raising consumer awareness and educating users on responsible sharing of charging facilities to avoid congestion at popular locations. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

and gradual expansion of manufacturing capabilities locally. Efforts are also underway across the industry to extend charging infrastructure beyond urban centres to improve nationwide access. A key upcoming development is the introduction of the Neue Klasse platform, a next-generation EV architecture expected to debut in Malaysia later this year, featuring improvements in efficiency, range and digital capability, alongside faster charging technology and advanced onboard systems. Nagel said the overall success of Malaysia’s EV transition will depend on coordinated efforts between government, industry and consumers. “With the collective efforts of all stakeholders, we are confident these developments will support Malaysia’s shift towards a more electrified mobility future.”

consumers. Nagel said public-private collaboration remains essential in shaping a sustainable EV ecosystem, with industry players continuing to engage policymakers on long-term planning. He noted that in more mature EV markets, infrastructure development typically comes ahead of mass adoption and Malaysia is broadly following that trajectory, though momentum must be sustained. He also pointed to the importance of “technology openness”, allowing consumers to choose between fully electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and efficient conventional cars depending on their needs. This flexibility, he said, supports a more gradual transition and helps broaden acceptance among different user groups. Looking ahead, Nagel said the focus should be on strengthening the wider ecosystem, including supplier development, skills training