Asia NAVIGATOR 2026

Asia NAVIGATOR 2026, held in the capital of Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) in early February, attracted nearly 300 emergency response professionals from around the region. No matter their backgrounds and specialties, all speakers, attendees, and sponsors were united by the conference’s theme: The Power of Data.

The event was co-sponsored by Madani Research Centre (MRC) and attended by Tuan Mohd Azmi Mat Nayan, the company’s CEO. MRC is a think tank dedicated to empowering “research and advocacy on policies and implementations based on the values of Malaysia Madani,” including sustainability, care and compassion, and innovation.¹

“Asia NAVIGATOR 2026 unites a dynamic community of experts, practitioners, and thought leaders from across the globe,” Tuan Mohn Azmi Mat Nayan wrote. “This convergence of knowledge and experience fosters insightful discussions, facilitates the exchange of ideas, and drives the creation of solutions to meet the ever-evolving challenges and opportunities in our respective fields. As we navigate this journey of learning and discovery together, let us embrace this platform to forge meaningful connections, spark innovative thinking, and reaffirm our dedication to delivering the highest standards of emergency response and care.”²

Usually during the Opening Session, there is some kind of artistic cultural performance—this year, the attendees were treated to a technological performance as a nod to the partnership with MRC. Participants touched “The Box of Wonder,” a large futuristic-looking cube mounted on a pedestal, and the box scanned their handprints, metaphorically opening the power of data.

Sessions
All of the conference speakers touched on the role of data in their agencies and the events they had responded to in the past year. Dr. Haji Norhafifi Haji Ismail, Dean of the School of Leadership and Resilience at Enforcement, Leadership and Management University (ELMU), spoke about the role of data in strengthening community preparedness and resilience. He stated that in order to establish structurally robust and socially inclusive systems to help communities recover from emergencies, one must begin by building on existing data.

Dr. Sarah Shaikh Abdul Karim, Associate Professor at Management and Science University (MSU), presented a session about using data to implement alternative care in events when transport to a hospital is not an option, such as when yearly floods devastate the local landscape and destroy the roads.

Ruel Kapunan, Managing Director of Pilipinas 911 Emergency Services (Philippines), spoke about how his agency’s Emergency Dispatchers were crucial in the response of a destructive earthquake. By handling calls and texts from injured and trapped victims, the Emergency Dispatchers not only became a source of lifesaving instructions, but also a source of hope.

Dispatcher of the Year
In the 13 years in which Asia NAVIGATOR has been held, the recipient of the Dispatcher of the Year award has always been an Emergency Fire Dispatcher, a trend that continued in 2026. Siti Aishah Selamat with NG MERS 999 RC Melaka was nominated because she has consistently demonstrated professionalism, reliability, and a commitment to excellence. Her contributions have played a key role in supporting the growth and success of her organization, and, in 2025, her outstanding performance was recognized with several awards including Best Professional Emergency Officer (PEO) for four months, Best Call Handling, and the Diamond Award at the Majlis Anugerah Cemerlang 999RC Melaka 2025.

The call submitted alongside the nomination begins with a frantic caller who was unable to give the address of the emergency due to it being a vacation rental. Siti Aishah Selamat remained calm throughout, asking the caller all the prescribed questions and giving reassurances that help was indeed on the way.

With her extensive experience, exceptional achievements, and active involvement in social, educational, and interagency initiatives, Siti Aishah Selamat is recognized by her agency and the Academy. She is a role model whose professionalism, dedication, and leadership inspire others and make a positive impact on the community.

Summing up his experience at Asia NAVIGATOR 2026, Priority Dispatch Corp.^™ (PDC^™) Sales Representative Bill Kinch said, “I thought it was one of the most impressive conferences I’ve been part of. As we keep utilizing this powerful data, we’ll keep making better decisions and sending out better responses because of it.”

Sources
1. “About Us.” Madani Research Centre. 2024. https://madaniresearch.com/about-us/ (accessed Feb. 20, 2026).

2. MillionaireAsia Editorial Team. “Asia Navigator 2026: Shaping the Future of MERS 999.” MillionaireAsia. 2026; Feb. 6. https://millionaireasia.my/asia-navigator-2026-unites-global-emergency-experts-pioneering-the-evolution-of-malaysia-emergency-response-system-999-mers-999/ (accessed Feb. 20, 2026).