PUTRAJAYA: The Prime Minister has given MyDigital ID and Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) only this month to settle delays in executing two national digital initiatives, MyDigital ID and the dual 5G network.
Unity Government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said MyDigital ID was given two weeks to come up with solutions to increase its registrations.
DNB on the other hand was given until next week to present their business plan to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for the 5G network rollout.
This comes after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim voiced disappointment over delays in executing the two national digital initiatives yesterday.
"As of 1pm on Dec 5, the total number of MyDigital ID registrations stood at 1.319 million. The Prime Minister feels that this figure is still too low. The issue with MyDigital ID is directly tied to the need to intensify efforts for this initiative.
"Therefore, the Prime Minister has given a short timeframe—two weeks from the last meeting—for a decision to be made on what needs to be done to increase registrations.
"At the same time, DNB has been instructed to submit a new and updated business plan to the MCMC for review, especially regarding the allocation of additional spectrum, which is a request from the Prime Minister," he said at a post-cabinet meeting press conference.
He added that although DNB requested an extension until January, Anwar had asked them to settle it by this month
"The dual 5G network is directly linked to the issue between DNB and telco companies, particularly the delay in the shareholding agreement, which led to the tender being opened for the second network.
"The first network managed by DNB and the second network, which we have announced will be managed by U Mobile, both need to submit their business plans. The MCMC informed that U Mobile presented its business plan earlier this week, while DNB has been given until next week to submit theirs.
"The first step is the presentation of the business plan to the MCMC, followed by several necessary actions, including spectrum allocation. For DNB, this was requested by them, but the process must start with the presentation of the business plan, which will take place this month," he said.
Yesterday, Anwar expressed frustration over the slow progress of the MyDigital ID and dual 5G network projects as he felt that two years was sufficient for the relevant quarters to complete the projects.
https://www.nst.com.my/amp/news/nation/2024/12/1144015/updated-pm-frustr...
Speaking at the Finance Ministry's monthly assembly today, he shared his dissatisfaction, particularly during the National Digital Economy and Fourth Industrial Revolution Council (MED41RN) meeting on Wednesday.
In October, Malaysians expressed frustration over the inability to register for the MyDigital ID application, which was required to log in to the MyJPJ app.
The MyDigital ID system also experienced prolonged disruptions, delaying the registration process.
The government on June 21 said it remains committed to implementing the dual network 5G model policy, where its implementation will help enhance 5G coverage, foster healthy competition in the telecommunications sector, and ensure affordable plans and high-quality 5G services for the public.