KUALA LUMPUR – Augustus Ralph Marshall has been appointed Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) chief executive, confirming The Vibes’ report last Friday that the former lieutenant of tycoon Tan Sri T. Ananda Krishnan has been picked for the job.
DNB is the government special purpose vehicle (SPV) tasked with 5G roll-out nationwide. Marshall brings to the table more than 30 years’ experience in the telco industry and played a role in the setting up of various businesses controlled by Ananda Krishnan, from Maxis Bhd to Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd.
He played a pivotal role in the telco space including satellite technology through Measat. He also has over four decades of experience in financial and general management with significant exposure to commercial development property sectors.
In a statement today, the Finance Ministry said DNB will offer 5G services via a wholesale model that is regulated to ensure better transparency and implementation.
“It will be managed based on the appropriate governance framework, an open tender process for the 5G infrastructure development, and global best practices to ensure proper controls.
“All telecommunications service providers will have open, fair and equal access in obtaining wholesale 5G network services for the development of retail services based on 5G technology.”
The roll-out will “accelerate our growth initiatives through MyDigital, which aims at ensuring socio-economic progress and inclusivity for all Malaysians,” Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said.
The MyDigital blueprint, which is the government’s digital economy initiative, expects Malaysia to be 5G-ready by the end of this year.
DNB’s chairman is Treasury chief secretary Datuk Asri Hamidon while board members are Malaysia Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit director-general Datuk Seri Dr Yusof Ismail and industry veterans Datuk Mohamed Shahril Tarmizi and Datuk Muthanna Abdullah.
“Members of DNB’s senior management team will be announced in due course,” the ministry said. – The Vibes, March 1, 2021
