SPEEDING UP 5G NETWORK ROLLOUT, TIMELY SAYS PRINCIPAL ASSET

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 -- The government’s plan to speed up the rollout of 5G network -- targeted for a year-end launch under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) -- is timely for Malaysia to benefit from any spillover from technology growth. 

Principal Asset Management Bhd chief executive officer Munirah Khairuddin said the 5G transcends various sectors, not just communication, but also to sectors such as transportation. 

"We have been waiting for it. It is a lot of investments but it is timely because when you think of macroeconomic perspective, our largest trading partner China is well ahead of this.

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“If we are to benefit from any spillover in technology and other ancillary sectors to support the growth of technology, we need to have 5G," she said in a virtual media briefing today, held in conjunction with the 2021 APAC Summit.

In his speech in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said private sectors will invest an additional RM15 billion to ramp up the deployment of 5G networks nationwide.

Under 12MP, the government also plans to bridge the urban-rural digital divide by transforming community Internet centres into Malaysian Family Digital Centres.

The digital economy is expected to contribute 25.5 per cent to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) by 2025.

Munirah said every sector in Malaysia are looking at revolutionising the way they do business to keep up with the trend. 

“Technology bridges the financial literacy. With technology, people are learning more about things,” she added. 

-- BERNAMA