infrastructure 6 - The Latremie Post

MyIX: Budget 2026 enhances Malaysia’s digital backbone for an AI-powered future

**Calls for Stronger Local Interconnection to Maximise Digital Investments**

Upgraded infrastructure will boost data sovereignty, lower costs, and support Malaysia’s rise as a regional digital hub.

The Malaysia Internet Exchange (MyIX) has welcomed the Madani Budget 2026 as a decisive step towards strengthening Malaysia’s digital backbone. The government’s focus on submarine cable infrastructure, nationwide connectivity, 5G expansion, artificial intelligence, and digital inclusion are seen as critical enablers of the nation’s future.

MyIX Chairman Chiew Kok Hin highlighted that the government’s commitment of more than US$880 million (RM4 billion) in digital infrastructure investments demonstrates Malaysia’s readiness to compete as a regional digital hub. However, he emphasized that global investments must be matched by resilient domestic interconnection.

> “As digital highways such as submarine cables, AI clouds, and 5G networks are being built, the true benefits only reach the rakyat when traffic flows locally and securely. At MyIX, our role is to anchor these capacities so that every Malaysian enjoys lower costs, smoother streaming, faster cloud access, and assured data sovereignty,” Chiew said.

The Budget allocates US$440 million (RM2 billion) for the Sambungan Kabel Dasar Laut Madani (SALAM) submarine cable, linking Johor, Sarawak, and Sabah. Additionally, another US$440 million (RM2 billion) is designated for a Sovereign AI Cloud, alongside continued 5G rollout, MyDigital ID adoption, and global investments from Microsoft, Google, and Amazon Web Services.

Chiew noted that Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are among MyIX’s global peering partners, supporting the exchange’s mission to enhance the speed, resilience, and affordability of Malaysia’s internet.

The measures outlined in Budget 2026 reflect strong foresight and position Malaysia as an emerging regional AI and digital hub. Chiew added:

> “The government’s commitment to submarine cables, AI infrastructure, and 5G rollout will unlock unprecedented capacity. At MyIX, our role is to ensure these investments translate into real benefits for Malaysians through efficient local traffic routing. This is how we strengthen digital sovereignty while enabling inclusive growth.”

He also highlighted the Budget’s focus on the development of Sabah and Sarawak, alongside initiatives such as GovTech digitalisation, MyDigital ID expansion, and tax incentives for AI and cybersecurity adoption. These steps will further broaden access to the digital economy nationwide.

> “By localising internet traffic, MyIX reduces reliance on foreign routing and ensures that connectivity gains are felt across the nation—from rural areas to urban centres in the Klang Valley. As Malaysia builds towards AI Nation 2030, low-latency interconnection will be the invisible layer powering AI, 5G, and cloud adoption for government, businesses, and the rakyat alike,” Chiew explained.

Currently, MyIX operates across Kuala Lumpur, Cyberjaya, Johor Bahru, and Kuching, serving as key interconnection points for seamless traffic exchange. The exchange continues to deliver significant cost reductions, foreign exchange savings, and faster local internet speeds, while enhancing national resilience and efficiency.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), which was instrumental in MyIX’s formation in 2006, remains actively engaged in the exchange’s ongoing development.
https://www.digitalnewsasia.com/digital-economy/myix-budget-2026-enhances-malaysias-digital-backbone-ai-powered-future

White House slams Nobel Committee, says it placed `politics over peace`

Cheung said Trump “will continue making peace deals, ending wars, and saving lives. He has the heart of a humanitarian, and there will never be anyone like him who can move mountains with the sheer force of his will.”

Shortly after Cheung’s comments, Trump, in a social media post, thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for praising his peace efforts, despite not winning a Nobel. “Thank you to President Putin!” he wrote.

Replying to a question, Putin told reporters in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, that Trump is doing a lot to resolve complex crises that have lasted for years and even decades.

Trump has been claiming credit for brokering peace agreements, most notably the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations. The US President has asserted multiple times that he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize for settling “eight wars,” including the recent military conflict between India and Pakistan.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians. India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.

India has consistently maintained that the understanding on cessation of hostilities with Pakistan was reached following direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two militaries.

Trump has repeated several times that in the second term of his administration so far, he has ended several wars, including those between India and Pakistan, Cambodia and Thailand, Kosovo and Serbia, the Congo and Rwanda, Israel and Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia, and Armenia and Azerbaijan.

—

*This story has been sourced from a third-party syndicated feed and agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for the dependability, trustworthiness, reliability, or accuracy of the text. Mid-day management and mid-day.com reserve the sole right to alter, delete, or remove (without notice) the content at their absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.*
https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/trump-for-nobel-peace-prize-white-house-slams-nobel-committee-says-it-placed-politics-over-peace-23598166

PM Narendra Modi’s Special Message Ahead Of Inaugurating Navi Mumbai Airport & Metro 3 Line; Here’s What He Said

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday reiterated his government’s focus on improving Mumbai’s infrastructure and enhancing the Ease of Living for its residents. He was preparing to inaugurate two of the city’s most significant projects: Phase 1 of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) and the final phase of Mumbai Metro Line 3.

Taking to X, the Prime Minister wrote, “On the way to Navi Mumbai to take part in the programme marking the inauguration of Phase-1 of the Navi Mumbai International Airport. With this, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region will get its second major international airport, thus boosting commerce and connectivity. The final phase of the Mumbai Metro Line-3 will also be inaugurated. We are committed to enhancing Mumbai’s infrastructure and boosting Ease of Living for the people of this dynamic city.”

Talking about the inauguration of the Mumbai Metro, he added, “Phase 2B of the Mumbai Metro Line-3 is a significant enhancement to Mumbai’s infrastructure! Metro connectivity is essential for a city’s growth. This project will have a positive impact on the lives of the people of Mumbai.”

### Navi Mumbai International Airport: India’s Largest Greenfield Aviation Project

Developed at an estimated cost of ₹19,650 crore, the Navi Mumbai International Airport represents a major milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a global aviation hub. Built under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, it is India’s largest Greenfield airport project and the second international airport serving the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Spread over 1,160 hectares, NMIA has been designed for maximum efficiency, with the capacity to handle 90 million passengers and 3.25 million metric tonnes of cargo annually. The airport will feature an Automated People Mover (APM) system connecting all four passenger terminals to facilitate smooth inter-terminal transfers. Additionally, another landside APM will link the city-side facilities.

Environmentally conscious in design, NMIA incorporates Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) storage, generates 47 MW of solar power, and operates electric bus services for city-wide connectivity. Furthermore, it will become India’s first airport connected by a Water Taxi service, enhancing accessibility while reducing carbon emissions.

### Metro Line 3: Mumbai’s First Fully Underground Metro

Alongside the airport inauguration, PM Modi will also dedicate Phase 2B of Mumbai Metro Line 3, which stretches from Acharya Atre Chowk to Cuffe Parade. Built at an estimated cost of ₹12,200 crore, this phase completes the entire Mumbai Metro Line 3, also known as the Aqua Line, which has been constructed at a total cost exceeding ₹37,270 crore.

This metro line is Mumbai’s first fully underground metro and represents a monumental leap in the city’s urban mobility network. Metro 3 is expected to transform daily commuting by offering faster, cleaner, and more efficient travel between North and South Mumbai.

By connecting major business, residential, and transport hubs, Metro Line 3 promises to ease congestion, reduce pollution, and redefine public transport for millions of Mumbaikars.

*Text: Kamal Mishra*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/pm-narendra-modi-special-message-ahead-of-inaugurating-navi-mumbai-airport-metro-3-line-heres-what-he-said

Karachi Biennale 2027: Noor Ahmed to curate fifth edition

The Karachi Biennale is set to return in January 2027 for its fifth edition, this time led by curator Noor Ahmed. Since its launch in 2017, the Karachi Biennale has grown into Pakistan’s largest international contemporary art event, transforming the city through exhibitions, public art projects, and education programmes that bring contemporary art to diverse audiences.

For KB27, the Biennale will once again move beyond traditional gallery walls, spreading across Karachi’s schools, parks, and public spaces. The programme will feature commissioned works, site-specific projects, artist residencies, workshops, initiatives for schools and communities, and a series of public talks. The Trust aims to explore new ways of engaging audiences and to document the outcomes for future editions.

Noor Ahmed is an exciting choice as curator. She has collaborated on significant projects, including co-curating *River Landscapes*, a transnational initiative connecting South Asia and Europe through a shared glossary of water. Additionally, she served as Project Director and Lead Curator of the Digital Curation of Lahore and Taxila Museums, Pakistan’s largest museum digitisation programme.

Her relationship with the Biennale dates back to 2019, when she served as Assistant Curator for KB19 and helped deliver exhibitions across Karachi’s public parks, zoo, and botanical gardens.

The Biennale has always sought to expand access to contemporary art, with each edition advancing this mission. Previously curated by Amin Gulgee in 2017, Muhammad Zeeshan in 2019, Faisal Anwar in 2022, and Waheeda Baloch in 2024, the event has steadily strengthened its infrastructure for commissions, exhibition delivery, and education, while deepening public participation across the city.

With Noor Ahmed guiding KB27, the Biennale is poised to continue this growth. The programme will introduce new voices, test fresh formats, and reaffirm Karachi’s role as a hub of contemporary cultural exchange.

Details of the full programme, along with submission deadlines and ticketing information, will be released by the Trust ahead of the January 2027 opening. Stay tuned for updates!
https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/1348546-karachi-biennale-2027-noor-ahmed-to-curate-fifth-edition

A CivicSpace Conversation on Rural-Urban Powerbuilding

**CivicSpace Virtual Roundtable: Bridging Rural and Urban Communities**

CivicSpace, a New America Chicago initiative, presents a virtual roundtable focused on finding common ground and powerbuilding across rural and urban spaces. This discussion will explore how rural and urban communities can better understand one another and work together to address shared civic challenges.

The roundtable will feature a moderated dialogue, followed by an opportunity for questions from the audience. While rural and urban communities are often viewed as culturally and politically opposed, many face parallel struggles such as underinvestment in public infrastructure, unequal access to public services, weakened democratic institutions, and exclusion from policy processes.

Despite these shared challenges, there are few spaces where rural and urban leaders can come together to explore common ground, exchange experiences, and uncover shared priorities. This roundtable aims to fill that gap and foster meaningful connections.

**Speakers:**

– **Daniel Ash**, Executive Director of the Field Foundation
– **Loka Ashwood**, Sociologist and MacArthur Fellow
– **Catherine Coleman Flowers**, Founder of the Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice (CREEJ) and MacArthur Fellow

Join us for this important conversation and be part of building stronger, more connected communities.
https://www.newamerica.org/chicago/events/a-civicspace-conversation-on-rural-urban-powerbuilding/

Any aggression in Sir Creek will be met with historic response: Rajnath Singh

Highlighting the Indian Army’s achievements, the defence minister stated that the objectives of Operation Sindoor had been successfully met. He emphasized that the aim was not to escalate tensions into a full-scale war, according to PTI.

However, his comments on the Sir Creek area drew particular attention. “Any aggression by Pakistan in the Sir Creek area will be met with a resounding response that will change both history and geography,” Singh warned. He added, “In the 1965 war, the Indian Army had demonstrated the capability to reach Lahore. Today, in 2025, Pakistan should remember that one route to Karachi passes through the creek.”

Sir Creek is a 96-km-long tidal estuary located between Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch and Pakistan. The area remains disputed due to differing interpretations of maritime boundaries. The defence minister pointed out, “Despite 78 years of independence, the border dispute continues in the Sir Creek area. India has repeatedly tried to resolve this issue through dialogue, but Pakistan’s intentions remain flawed and unclear.”

Singh also expressed concern over Pakistan’s recent expansion of military infrastructure near the creek, describing it as a worrying sign. He reiterated that the Indian Army and Border Security Force vigilantly guard the country’s borders to ensure national security.

Regarding Operation Sindoor, which was launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack on May 7, Singh stated, “Pakistan made an unsuccessful attempt to penetrate India’s defence system from Leh to Sir Creek. However, in retaliatory action, Indian forces completely exposed the Pakistani air defence system and sent a message to the world that Indian forces can inflict heavy losses on Pakistan whenever and wherever they wish.”

Stressing India’s restraint during the operation, the Union Minister added, “Escalating it and starting a war was not the objective of Operation Sindoor. I am happy that Indian forces have successfully achieved all military objectives. But our fight against terrorism continues.”

He also praised the joint efforts of India’s armed forces, saying, “It was the jointness of our Army, Air Force, and Navy that executed Operation Sindoor in record time. Your strategy, courage, and capability have proven that India can defeat the enemy in every situation.”

Describing the three services as the “pillars” of India’s strength, Singh concluded, “When these services work together, we can effectively face every challenge.”

On the occasion of Dussehra, while performing the ‘shastra puja,’ Singh reflected, “For us, weapons are not just tools or displays of power. Weapons are a means to establish righteousness.”
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/rajnath-singh-celebrates-dussehra-2025-in-bhuj-warns-pakistan-against-aggression-in-sir-creek-23596895