PETALING JAYA: Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal has praised Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s decision to deploy both Western and Chinese 5G technology, urging Putrajaya to maintain what he described as a balanced approach.
Wan Fayhsal said the policy gives Malaysia access to two distinct 5G technology ecosystems, with Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) utilising Ericsson equipment for its network while U Mobile relies on Huawei technology.
“DNB was established by the Perikatan Nasional government in 2021. Now there are two paths, namely DNB with Ericsson and U Mobile with Huawei,” he said when debating the 2027 budget in the Dewan Rakyat.
“In hindsight, this is a good thing because Malaysia can benefit from Western and Eastern technology, as stressed by Tambun previously.”
Anwar, the Tambun MP, was present in the chamber during Wan Fayhsal’s remarks.
The Wawasan information chief urged the government to maintain its current policy rather than allow Malaysia to become reliant on only one technology ecosystem.
“I hope the government can retain both systems because, in my discussions with ambassadors from Europe and other Western countries, they want Malaysia to provide truly sovereign digital infrastructure so that they can invest in sensitive sectors,” he said.
Wan Fayhsal said it was important for Malaysia to retain both systems, not only to enhance 5G coverage and network quality, but also to bolster investor confidence, safeguard digital sovereignty, and strengthen the country’s ability to provide trusted infrastructure for sensitive operations.
Wan Fayhsal said the same principle should apply to the government’s proposed sovereign AI cloud, which could host sensitive government data.
The government had previously announced a proposed RM2 billion allocation through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to establish the cloud under Budget 2026, and reiterated the initiative in Budget 2027.
He said communications minister Fahmi Fadzil had stated that work was under way to protect government data, adding that chips produced by Huawei were being considered for the project, with Telekom Malaysia Bhd selected to manage it.
“Huawei Ascend 910C chips are being considered, and Telekom Malaysia has been selected to manage this project,” Wan Fayhsal said.
“The question is whether the government has carried out a risk assessment on the suppliers who will be used to handle national data.
“How will the government manage sensitivities related to digital sovereignty?”
Wan Fayhsal said the government need not reject Chinese technology, but must ensure that its growing role in the country’s 5G and AI infrastructure does not come at the expense of meaningful alternatives.
“Malaysia can benefit from both Western and Eastern technology,” he said.
Maintaining DNB's Ericsson-based stack alongside U Mobile's Huawei-backed network would give Malaysia the flexibility to draw from both ecosystems while avoiding dependence on any single supplier or technology bloc, he said.