MoF to handle appointment of new DNB CEO

KUALA LUMPUR – The Finance Ministry will be the one to handle the appointment of a new chief executive officer (CEO) for its special purpose vehicle for the nation’s 5G roll-out, Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB), said Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil. 

Explaining that his ministry’s handling of the company does not cover the appointment of board members, Fahmi said that any queries over who will be taking over from former DNB CEO Augustus Ralph Marshall will have to be directed to the Finance Ministry. 

“DNB is one of the 12 agencies that the Communications and Digital Ministry oversees, but we do not make that decision (on who to appoint as CEO). 

“Any appointment (to the board of a) Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MoF Inc) entity will have to be referred to the Finance Ministry. 

“God willing, you will know when you know (who is the new CEO),” he said when questioned on the matter during a press conference at Parliament’s media centre here today. 

Last week, The Vibes reported that Marshall’s contract had ended on March 11 and was not extended beforehand, with his role now being temporarily split between two officials. 

Marshall, who led the roll-out of Maxis and Astro Networks, was appointed DNB’s CEO in March 2021.

Marshall’s departure from DNB comes at a critical juncture for the 5G network roll-out, as the country was initially left behind its neighbours, with Malaysian mobile consumers paying one of the highest rates for 4G connectivity in the Asean region.

Meanwhile, Fahmi said that the roll-out for Phase 2 of the country’s 5G network hinges upon the passing of Budget 2023, which is currently being debated at the committee stage in the Dewan Rakyat after being tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last month. 

Under Supply Bill 2023, a total of RM725 million was allocated to develop infrastructure in 47 industrial areas and nearly 3,700 schools to hasten the implementation of the Jalinan Digital Negara (Jendela) digital infrastructure initiative. 

Jendela is designed to provide wider coverage and a better broadband quality experience for the people as the country moves to 5G technology. 

The project was implemented in stages, with Phase 1 commencing in 2020 and ending last year while Phase 2 is projected to be completed in 2025. – The Vibes, March 20, 2023