[COLUMNIST] Predicting Gobind Singh Deo’s Next Steps: Will He Transform Malaysia's Digital Landscape?

THE recent cabinet reshuffle in Malaysia, led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, has brought significant changes in the approach towards the country's digital infrastructure and policy, especially in the realms of 5G rollout and cybersecurity. The decision to split the Ministry of Communications and Digital into two separate entities, and the appointment of Gobind Singh Deo as the head of the newly formed Digital Ministry, are critical steps in this direction. This move is especially poignant in the context of the 5G rollout, an area that has been fraught with challenges and controversies under the stewardship of Fahmi Fadzil.

The 5G rollout, a subject of intense debate, has been fraught with challenges. The task ahead for Gobind Singh is daunting and requires a clear and determined approach to address the complexities of Malaysia’s digital landscape, particularly the 5G rollout which has been a topic of intense debate and concern. His predecessor, Fahmi Fadzil, faced challenges in advancing the 5G rollout, and there is an urgent need for a re-evaluation of strategies, including the consideration of reverting to a Single Wholesale Network (SWN) model for 5G deployment. The SWN model, initially planned but later abandoned, involves a single, government-owned company being responsible for the 5G infrastructure, potentially offering benefits in terms of efficiency, cost, and coverage.

Criticism has been directed at Fahmi Fadzil's handling of the 5G deployment, with accusations that his approach leaned excessively towards telecommunications companies, at the expense of broader government coordination and oversight. This approach, allegedly favouring corporate interests over strategic collaborations with government agencies like the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), has been seen as a misstep in realizing the full potential of Malaysia's digital transformation.

Gobind Singh Deo, with his return to a leadership role in the digital sphere, is expected to recalibrate this approach. His experience and previously demonstrated effective management in the digital domain position him well to address the complexities of Malaysia’s 5G rollout and broader digital policies. His leadership is anticipated to pivot towards a more balanced approach, emphasizing both government oversight and private sector innovation.

Moreover, a key challenge for Gobind Singh is navigating the complexities surrounding Huawei’s involvement in Malaysia's 5G and cybersecurity plans. Given the global concerns about Huawei's security vulnerabilities and its alleged role in state espionage, Gobind Singh needs to be steadfast in advising Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim against endorsing Huawei. This stance is crucial, particularly in the context of Anwar's potential inclination to favour Huawei to "balance the East and the West”. Embracing Huawei, a controversy-riddled state-owned organization, could pose significant risks to Malaysia's digital sovereignty and security.

Gobind Singh must ensure proper governance in the digital sphere, advocating against the hasty inclusion of Huawei in Malaysia’s digital infrastructure. His leadership should focus on maintaining a secure, efficient, and transparent digital ecosystem, free from undue influence or geopolitical pressures.

Furthermore, Gobind Singh's role is crucial in supporting the ID Digital Nasional program, set to be fully implemented in 2024. This program, aimed at creating a verifiable platform of trust for digital transactions, requires a robust and reliable digital infrastructure, underlining the importance of a successful 5G rollout.

Another critical aspect of Gobind Singh's tenure will be the focus on cybersecurity. Given the global concerns surrounding Huawei, particularly its alleged involvement in state espionage and the security vulnerabilities in its equipment, Malaysia should make a firm stance towards not collaborating with Huawei for its 5G network and cybersecurity needs is a prudent decision. Huawei's network equipment has been plagued by security flaws that facilitate unauthorized access or misappropriation of data. Instances of data transfer to China and the company's involvement in espionage activities highlight the risks associated with Huawei's involvement in critical digital infrastructure.

The decision to distance from Huawei aligns with warnings from international entities like the US and EU, emphasizing the potential damage to national security and foreign investment. This cautionary approach is vital for Malaysia's digital sovereignty and the security of its digital ecosystem, especially in light of the strategic initiatives such as the ID Digital Nasional program.

As Gobind Singh Deo assumes his role at the forefront of Malaysia's digital revolution, particularly in the realm of 5G technology, the pressure is on for him to make decisive and strategic choices. The need for a swift yet well-considered decision on the 5G rollout strategy cannot be overstated.

The choice between continuing with the current 5G deployment strategy or reverting to the Single Wholesale Network (SWN) model is more than a technical decision; it's a strategic one that will significantly impact the digital landscape of Malaysia. This decision needs to balance speed, efficiency, cost, and, most importantly, national security concerns, especially in light of the global apprehensions regarding Huawei.

As such, Gobind Singh Deo stands at a critical juncture. His decisions will not only shape Malaysia's digital infrastructure but will also reflect the country's commitment to maintaining a secure, efficient, and sovereign digital ecosystem. The path he chooses for the 5G rollout will set the tone for Malaysia's digital future and its position in the global digital economy. The time for decisive action is now; the nation's digital progress and security hang in the balance.

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Rahman Hussin interests is in public affairs, politics and stakeholder managements. He runs his own firm that serves a wide range of clients focusing on strategy and government affairs.

** The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of Astro AWANI.