Fahmi to meet DNB, telcos tomorrow on 5G coverage

KUALA LUMPUR – Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil says he will hold an engagement session with Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) and all telecommunications service providers tomorrow to discuss 5G coverage in the country.

He said among the matters to be discussed is for DNB to be managed in a more transparent and open manner.

“There were plans for me to go overseas to attend some programmes, but I cancelled them following the prime minister’s announcement (regarding DNB), so my focus and that of the ministry now is to hold an engagement session with DNB and all telecommunications service providers,” he said in a live interview session by RTM in Parliament, today.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when tabling Budget 2023 in the Dewan Rakyat today said the unity government is taking an approach to ensure DNB is managed more transparently and comprehensively to achieve full participation by telecommunication service providers.

Fahmi said one of the objectives that would be set is for DNB to ensure 5G coverage in 80% of populated areas nationwide by the end of this year.

Meanwhile, he said the RM10 million allocation for the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) would help fight fraud.

“Action should also be taken, for example, to strengthen the Personal Data Protection Act and create a Cyber Security Commission. This is among the efforts being planned by the ministry to ensure the effectiveness of the NSRC in combating scams in our country,” he said.

Overall, he said, Budget 2023 had something for everyone.

“Providing aid to padi farmers as well as profit sharing of 30% of the net profit from Bernas (Padiberas Nasional Bhd) is something that was never thought of, but has been successfully done,” he said.

Earlier, Anwar announced that in addition to the RM60 million contribution provided, Bernas had also agreed to contribute 30% of its net profit from rice imports to padi farmers.

Meanwhile, in a media statement, Fahmi said the RM102 million allocation for the Digital Content Fund would open up more opportunities for artists to produce various creative works of high quality that could also penetrate the international market. – Bernama, February 24, 2023