Kuala Lampur, Nov. 18 -- GEORGE TOWN, Nov 19 - Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has called for the feasibility of the new Next Generation Emergency Services (NG999) system to be carefully assessed before its full implementation, especially following disruptions to the 999 hotline since Monday.

He said the disruptions posed risks to individuals requiring emergency services.

"As chairman of the Penang state security committee, I do not deny the effectiveness of NG999, which began operations on November 16, but the system's rollout and management need better communications involving all parties, including ambulance and emergency NGOs, as well as the general public," he said in a statement today.

He said the system should not have been ...