KUALA LUMPUR – Pos Malaysia is set to improve its productivity and operational efficiency with the introduction of its first autonomous vehicle, aimed at enhancing internal operations. The technology is expected to be tested at the National Mail Centre before its deployment to broader services.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil described the initiative as a significant step towards modernising the national postal service in line with advancing technological trends, Bernama reported.
“This project is the first of its kind in Malaysia’s postal sector, opening doors for further exploration of autonomous vehicle use across the country,” Fahmi said.
“We understand the challenges faced by the legacy mail delivery system, but the transition towards a more sustainable model is crucial to maintaining service continuity.”
The Minister spoke after launching the autonomous vehicle and witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Pos Malaysia and ALS, marking the start of a proof of concept (POC) project at the National Mail Centre.
Fahmi highlighted the collaborative effort behind the initiative, with key ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, MIMOS, and Digital Nasional Berhad, among others, working together.
As part of the POC project, Pos Malaysia will trial the autonomous vehicle for three to six months, pending full approval from the Ministry of Transport. The vehicle will initially be used for intermediate routes, such as between the mail centre and major post offices, rather than direct home deliveries.
Fahmi stressed that the success of the initiative would depend on the readiness of the country’s digital infrastructure, including robust 5G coverage. This is in line with the government’s plans to develop a national digital infrastructure policy that supports future technologies safely and effectively.
Addressing concerns about job losses, Fahmi assured the public that the introduction of autonomous vehicles would not lead to layoffs. “The adoption of technology must go hand in hand with safeguarding employment, with potential retraining and upskilling opportunities to equip workers for more complex tasks,” he added. He also urged sectors not to use automation or AI as an excuse for mass layoffs.
On government support, Fahmi confirmed that the Ministry of Communications has allocated RM50 million to support Pos Malaysia in fulfilling its Universal Service Obligation (USO), specifically for nationwide mail delivery.
The funds will be distributed once the Postal Services Fund is set up, expected to be operational in the third quarter of the year under the supervision of the ministry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). - January 21, 2026
The post Pos Malaysia trials autonomous vehicles to modernise operations: Fahmi appeared first on Scoop.
