KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 18 -- If you have a mobile phone, you have probably received an SMS from your telco in recent days urging you to download the NG SaveME 999 app - complete with reminders not to misuse it.

But what exactly is this app that many Malaysians are only now hearing about, and why are telcos suddenly pushing it?

For starters, the app is part of the Next Generation Malaysian Emergency Response Services 999 (NG MERS 999), developed through a collaboration between Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) and the Communications Ministry.

It aims to deliver faster, more accurate and more effective responses to emergency calls, replacing the long-running MERS 999 platform, also developed and operated by TM.

Putrajaya says the upgraded system...