DNB given 1 week to submit revised business plan

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has instructed Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) to submit a new and updated business plan to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) by next week.

Government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said this directive follows delays in the implementation of the second 5G network project because of prolonged negotiations with telecommunications companies.

Government-owned DNB was in charge of the first 5G network rollout.

Fahmi said only U Mobile Sdn Bhd, which was selected to implement the nation’s second 5G network last month, has submitted a revised business plan.

“The second 5G network is directly related to issues between DNB and telecommunications companies,” he said at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting press conference here today.

“Delays in the shareholders’ agreement previously led to a postponement and, subsequently, the opening of a tender for the second network, which was limited to telecommunications companies that have signed the shareholders’ agreement.

“DNB has also been asked to provide a new and updated business plan to MCMC for review regarding the allocation of additional spectrum.

“They (DNB) initially asked to be given until January, but the prime minister has insisted it be submitted this month.”

Fahmi said Anwar also called for a plan to increase MyDigital ID user registrations to be announced in two weeks, as only 1,319,000 people have registered for it as of yesterday.

Announced by Anwar in November last year, the MyDigital ID initiative is intended to serve as a secure and trusted digital identification system for Malaysians.

“The prime minister felt this number (1.319 million) is too low, and there must be more efforts made to boost registration.”

Yesterday, Anwar expressed frustration over delays in the MyDigital ID project and the second 5G network, stating that he had to vent his anger during a meeting earlier this week.

He pointed out that the implementation of MyDigital ID is a year behind schedule, while the second 5G network remains stalled due to a lack of positive responses from DNB and telecommunications companies involved in the negotiations.

“Reminders issued a year ago remain unanswered by both parties, which caused me to lose patience,” he told a staff assembly of the finance ministry.