Umno Youth calls for MyCC to probe business model used in 5G network rollout

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) should probe the business model utilised in the 5G network rollout by Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), says Umno Youth.

Its exco member Fairuz Jamaludin said MyCC should look into it to ensure no monopolies were occurring and that no cartels were present in the rollout.

"5G networks will one day become a basic utility like water or electricity hence there is a need to take a deeper look at this to ensure it is done fairly.

"Through MyCC, we can at least have an independent body to study whether the current business model is appropriate and efficient," he told reporters after attending a meet-and-greet session and briefing on the implementation of 5G at Angkasapuri on Friday (July 1).

He added that the government should be transparent about the costs needed in the 5G rollout with expenses constantly increasing for the project.

"Prior to this it was RM7bil, then RM11bil, RM12bil and today, we learned it is now RM16.5bil.”

Fairuz also called for the government, especially the Prime Minister and Communications and Multimedia Minister to take a deeper look at the rollout to ensure it was carried out in a way which would benefit Malaysians.

On June 21, Umno Youth lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) urging it to probe the rollout of the 5G network by DNB and urged Putrajaya to carry out a thorough investigation of DNB to ensure good governance and transparency in the 5G rollout.

A memorandum on the matter was also submitted to Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin.

It also claimed that bumiputra firms were sidelined in the 5G rollout, citing the lack of programmes specifically for such companies.