After EU, US warning of security risk, Fahmi says he will meet ambassadors over Huawei’s 5G bid
PUTRAJAYA, May 3 — Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil today said that he will meet with all ambassadors of foreign nations that have expressed concern about the bid by China’s Huawei Technologies Co Ltd (Huawei) for Malaysia’s 5G contract.
He said that Malaysia has the right to ensure its own policies without interference from other parties as a sovereign country, and that any decision made by the government will benefit the people and the economy and ensure harmony in international relations.
“I believe that after discussions and meetings are held to provide explanations to those involved, they will understand the position of the Malaysian government,” he told reporters during a press conference at his ministry this afternoon.
He said he could not say if Huawei was a frontrunner as the government was not directly involved with the commercial matter.
“But we are concerned about the sanctity of contract, which is why we have chosen this model (dual wholesale network model),” he said.
The contractual obligations between Digital Nasional Bhd and Ericsson would stand and the government would honour the agreement, he added.
“But if we were to take the principle of an open market, I believe the best deal wins,” he added.
The government’s priority was to ensure the ecosystem would be sustainable, future-proof, and able to address key concerns of the Cabinet, Fahmi said.
Yesterday, Reuters reported that the European Union (EU) and United States (US) have warned Malaysia about risks to national security and foreign investment should Huawei win its bid for the 5G contract.
The report said that Huawei has long been seen as the frontrunner and that EU and US envoys had written to Malaysia last month.
“Senior officials in Washington agree with my view that upending the existing model would undermine the competitiveness of new industries, stall 5G growth in Malaysia, and harm Malaysia’s business-friendly image internationally,” US ambassador to Malaysia Brian McFeeters was quoted as saying in his letter.
“Allowing untrusted suppliers in any part of the network also subjects Malaysia’s infrastructure to national security risks.”
