Maintain Western technology for DNB, says MP

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 — The chief of the Wawasan information office and MP for Machang, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, has urged the Malaysian government to maintain DNB’s Western technology stack, citing the importance of balancing the growing influence of Chinese technology in the country's 5G and AI infrastructure. This plea was made in the Dewan Rakyat, while Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, also representing Tambun, listened attentively.

Wan Fayhsal pointed out that DNB’s Ericsson-based network serves as a counterbalance to the Chinese technology used by U Mobile for Malaysia's second 5G network. As the government considers deploying Huawei's Ascend 910C chips for its proposed sovereign AI cloud, which could process sensitive government data, the need for such a balance has become even more pressing.

The chief emphasized that DNB, established by the Perikatan Nasional government in 2021, now offers Malaysia two pathways: one with Ericsson and another with Huawei. This dual approach enables Malaysia to benefit from both Western and Eastern technology, as highlighted by Tambun previously. Wan Fayhsal stressed the importance of not allowing any single technology ecosystem to dominate Malaysia's critical digital infrastructure.

He shared that discussions with European and other Western ambassadors indicate a desire for Malaysia to provide truly sovereign digital infrastructure, attracting investment in sensitive sectors. He added that promoting DNB's Western technology is about more than just 5G coverage or speed; it offers Malaysia and foreign investors a credible alternative for operations involving sensitive data.

The government's proposed RM2 billion allocation for a sovereign AI cloud, announced in Budget 2026 and reiterated in Budget 2027, has further underscored the urgency of this matter. Wan Fayhsal also mentioned that Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil confirmed that work is underway to protect government data. However, he questioned whether the government has conducted a risk assessment on the suppliers who will be used to handle national data.

He posed the question of how the government will manage sensitivities related to digital sovereignty. Wan Fayhsal stressed the importance of safeguarding and creating alternatives to ensure Malaysia is not overly dependent on any one supplier or geopolitical bloc. He reiterated that Malaysia can benefit from both Western and Chinese technology pathways, ensuring that the country is not dependent on a single supplier or geopolitical bloc.