PETALING JAYA – Despite warnings against commissioning Huawei as the nation’s 5G network vendor over its alleged risks to national security and foreign investment, analysts are backing up Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil’s call to remain impartial and exercise the nation’s sovereignty.
Universiti Malaya (UM) senior lecturer Karl Lee said Malaysia has its own stand as a nation that is independent, neutral, and non-aligned.
As such, its decision regarding the network vendor will be based on its own national security considerations, technological sustainability, and financial affordability – independent of the “warnings” given by both the United States and European Union envoys.
Instead, he said Malaysia’s bigger issue is how it responds to the current supply chain reorganisation of critical technologies and semiconductors, which he said began two months ago.
“In the course of towing the third party’s stand that also cooperates with China in the technological aspect, what are the potential risks to us if the US-led allies perceive our technologies as ‘unsafe’ since our semiconductor industry is interconnected with Taiwan’s as well?” he told The Vibes.
“Do we have advanced preparation for any potential backlash as a result of being the third party? These are the questions Malaysia ought to answer,” he added.
The Institute of China Studies lecturer also said it was “clear-cut” that Western powers were attempting to reframe their relationship with China in terms of systemic rivalry, competition, and partnership.
As Huawei and China are often linked together, he said the corporation would be the main target for restrictions by Western nations.
“As the national icon of China, Huawei is definitely the first on the list of Chinese entities for the Western powers’ consideration in imposing technological restrictions, given the fact that the Chinese multinational is the 5G champion around the world,” he said.
Lee also said Asean has not paid sufficient attention to two developments in the Western camp, which are their accelerated use of green technologies as opposed to China’s “red” technology, and the technological supply chain reorganisation away from the nation.
The developments were to ensure that the Western countries are not bound to Beijing in the event of a conflict, he added.
Similarly, UM’s Prof Roy Anthony Rogers Peter Rogers believes the Malaysian government should perceive Huawei as a business partner in telecommunications, rather than fall for the influence of the ongoing US-China rivalry.
“I sincerely believe as a country that practises neutralism in our foreign policy, the communications and digital minister should take into consideration Huawei’s track record in Malaysia.”
“(This includes) its contribution towards the enhancement of telecommunications capabilities in this country, over political power played by the major powers,” the Asia-Europe Institute deputy executive director said.
He also pointed out that telecommunication companies are subject to Malaysian law, and the nation should focus on getting the most optimal deal from the vendors.
Yesterday, Fahmi said he will meet with all envoys who raised concerns over the nation’s 5G connectivity roll-out, to explain the government’s decision to shift to the dual wholesale network system.
“It’s important that we emphasise that as a sovereign country, the Malaysian government has the right and prerogative to determine its own policies without any foreign interference,”
“But I believe any decision that has been made by the government (on the 5G roll-out), will not only benefit the people and drive growth for the economy but will also be done in a harmonious way,” he added. – The Vibes, May 4, 2023
