Three MCMC-Supported Initiatives Named ‘Champion Projects’ at WSIS Prizes 2026

PUTRAJAYA, July 1 — Three initiatives supported by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) have been officially recognized as ‘Champion Projects’ at the prestigious World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes 2026.

According to a statement released by MCMC today, this international recognition directly reflects the three core pillars of Malaysia’s digital blueprint: developing future digital talent, strengthening trusted and adaptive digital governance, and fostering a knowledgeable, resilient, and responsible digital society.

The trio of MCMC initiatives capturing the “Champion Project” titles include the ASEAN 5G Skills Framework and Capacity Development Platform; Human-Centred Digital Governance Through MCMC’s Five-Year Plan 2030; and the Sebenarnya.my fact-checking portal.

“This recognition marks four consecutive years of Malaysian digital initiatives receiving accolades on the WSIS stage, thereby demonstrating the country’s continuous capability in developing digital solutions that have a tangible impact on society.

“This achievement follows the recognition of the National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI) and Stingray II (2025); the Advocacy and Outreach Program for Orang Asli Villages in Negeri Sembilan (2024) and JENDELA (2023),” the statement read.

Pioneering Regional Frameworks and Governance

The ASEAN 5G Skills Framework and Capacity Development Platform, which was formulated by MCMC in close consultation with ASEAN member states, industry players, and regional specialists, solidifies Malaysia’s standing as a regional thought leader within Southeast Asia’s burgeoning 5G economy. Officially endorsed at the ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam, in January, the framework map out 50 critical job roles, 211 competencies, and 12 priority skill gaps across the 5G ecosystem.

Concurrently, the accolade for Human-Centered Digital Governance Through MCMC’s Five-Year Plan 2030 honors Malaysia’s forward-thinking efforts in preparing a national communications and multimedia ecosystem capable of managing next-generation digital technologies.

The third honored initiative, the Sebenarnya.my portal, serves as Malaysia’s official verification and fact-checking hub. Developed by MCMC, it earned international praise for its vital contributions to curbing the spread of false information and expanding public access to authentic, verified news.

A Highly Competitive Global Stage

Organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as part of a United Nations-supported process, the WSIS Prizes stand among the global technology sector’s most coveted honors.

The 2026 edition of the competition drew a record-breaking 1,595 entries from 122 countries and generated over 2.2 million votes worldwide, highlighting the intense, global competitiveness of the evaluation process. The title of ‘Champion Project’ is exclusively awarded to the top five initiatives in each category of the WSIS Action Lines, determined through rigorous official evaluation alongside a global public vote.

-NMT