IN a bizarre unfolding of events, Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin claimed that he has been left in the dark over the government’s 5G network roll-out plan, raising questions over his role in the ministry, in Umno and relevance on the eyes of his political masters.
His widely reported obliviousness over the matter illustrates a symptom of a wider problem – that political instability absolutely obstructs progress, development and growth of the country vis-a-vis critical infrastructure initiatives and policy implementation.
Zahidi on Tuesday urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to launch a probe into Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB), questioning the Finance Ministry-owned special purpose vehicle’s purported lack of transparency.
If his call is heeded, this could prompt the possibility of further delay in providing much needed 5G connectivity for a nation that is already trailing behind some of its less affluent neighbours.
Given the circumstances, Zahidi’s recent call for the probe is also a manifestation of a dysfunctional federal government that is made up of temporary political allies.
Just how is it that the second-in-command of the communications ministry tasked with overseeing 5G implementation, is questioning the decisions made by his minister, Tan Sri Annuar Musa, and even Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob – who are all from the same party?
And just how could the deputy be kicking up a fuss over a decision finalised by the cabinet months ago, including the Finance Ministry, when Zahidi is not even a cabinet member?
DNB executives had been briefing stakeholders, including Members of Parliament, on the necessity of 5G and its roll-out plans.
To recap on the event on Tuesday, Zahidi claimed in a press conference, a lack of transparency involving DNB’s financial dealings, including the supposed ballooning of the cost to build the telecommunications network to the tune of a whopping RM30 billion.
And how he came up with the RM30 billion figure is anyone’s guess as industry insiders had previously noted that it would cost half that amount.
Some of his questions were addressed earlier this year in explanations offered by DNB and the Finance Ministry.
For example, the details of the agreements for the telecommunications companies, such as the Reference Access Offer – which details pricing, terms, and conditions as well as a catalogue of services – are available on DNB’s website.
Prior to the press conference, Zahidi received the memorandum on the matter from Umno Youth, represented by exco member Fairuz Jamaludin, who also called on MACC to initiate a probe into DNB.
There is nothing odd about ministers and deputies holding press conferences, but Zahidi had gone ahead and held one after the submission of the memorandum from a third party.
Even more peculiar is the invitation for the event was sent by the communications ministry’s official channels, and not Umno Youth.
In the normal scheme of things, any government official – senior or not – would keep comments brief and issue holding statements upon receiving the documents (i.e.: “We will look into this matter and address the concerns accordingly”, and etc).
However, in this instance, Zahidi went ahead and joined the angry mob. This suggests that the entire charade was not necessarily Umno Youth’s agenda.
Why do we say this? It’s due to the simple, yet highly ironic reason that the “communications” deputy minister is not even communicating with his own minister, as Zahidi unwittingly revealed on Tuesday.
It is also no secret that Zahidi, an Umno Supreme Council member – and his cohorts – have been at loggerheads with Annuar over the latter’s apparent sympathy for Perikatan Nasional, which helped Umno regain control of the federal government after losing the people’s mandate in 2018.
Zahidi had made blunders in the past, including accusing the viral “tree girl”, Veveonah Mosibin, of seeking internet fame after the Sabahan student had to climb trees to get mobile internet coverage so she could sit for online exams.
As we await the roll-out of the 5G network, will Zahidi continue to “roll out” his incredulity of being “left out”?
Time will tell, but a deputy minister going rogue, as famously quoted in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, is a sign that something is rotten in the State of Denmark. – The Vibes, June 23, 2022
A. Azim Idris is a journalist at The Vibes
