Nations must decide own digital future, not be dictated to, says Fahmi

Doha, November 8—"Malaysia has cautioned against technology colonialism, urging nations to retain autonomy in shaping their digital infrastructure," Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil emphasized during a panel discussion at Mobile World Congress Doha 2026. "Every nation must be free to decide its own technological path," he stated, emphasizing that geopolitical rivalries and competing technology ecosystems should not dictate others' digital development.

"Nations are sovereign and should have the power to decide their own domestic policies," Fahmi affirmed. His remarks come after Malaysia's decision to implement a dual-network model for its 5G rollout, diverging from initial advice to adopt a single wholesale network, despite GSMA Intelligence's recommendation. This bold move, Fahmi explained, led to a complex transition process that required navigating diplomatic considerations while balancing national priorities with global standards.

He stressed that the broader principle of national sovereignty extends beyond simple technological self-sufficiency, calling for enhanced dialogue and cooperation among countries in an increasingly multipolar world. Fahmi highlighted the importance of interoperability, the ability of varied telecommunications systems to coexist, which will be put to the test as countries forge their digital strategies.

He noted the unique dynamics within ASEAN, where consensus-based decision-making respects individual member states' autonomy. Building trust and achieving interoperability, he stressed, necessitates looking beyond national borders to bolster international collaboration. He also called for a more focused approach on deploying and optimizing existing networks before industries shift entirely to emerging 6G technologies.

"Before we talk about 6G, we have to look at who is actually using 5G or 5G-Advanced," Fahmi stressed, reflecting Malaysia's ongoing efforts to maximize the potential of current technologies. Despite the challenges ahead, Fahmi remains optimistic about the potential for international collaboration to drive innovation, even from countries not typically recognized as global technology pioneers.

"There are many challenges, but there are also many opportunities for us to discover solutions together, and sometimes you might find those solutions in the unlikeliest of countries," he concluded.