“The delay by the government clearly shows a lack of leadership and direction in the matter,” said Lee Chean Chung of PKR, who represents the Semambu constituency.

The government had set up Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), under the single wholesale network concept, to roll out the 5G service.

Lee said the government should clarify why mobile phone companies have yet to take up the government’s offer to sell 70% of DNB, which is responsible for the 5G rollout.

The offer was made to mobile network operators Celcom Axiata, Digi, Maxis and U-mobile, who have until the end of June to consider the offer. Two other companies – Telekom Malaysia and YTL Communications – have signed an agreement to take an equity stake in DNB.

Lee asked whether the delay in the 5G installation and implementation was the result of frequent extended discussions.

He said multiple policy changes had affected the implementation of 5G, and said the rollout of the new mobile technology should not be delayed even if there was political intervention and lobbying.

DNB, a government-owned company, was set up in March 2021 as the sole 5G network operator and to offer 5G as a wholesale network service to telecommunications companies.

However, the companies objected to the wholesale model.