“The implication on the government has been largely reduced due to the involvement of telecommunication companies,” he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Anwar, who is also the finance minister, was responding to a question from Rodziah Ismail (PH-Ampang), who wanted to know if the decision to move away from the single wholesale network would result in losses.

He said that while the decision to switch to a dual network was a difficult one to make due to pressure from various parties, Anwar said the Cabinet went ahead with it in the interest of network diversity and national security.

Putrajaya agreed to a second 5G service provider on May 3, with the shift to a dual network to commence under Phase 2 of the rollout of the 5G network.

Communications and digital minister Fahmi Fadzil said this will happen once 80% coverage to populated areas has been achieved by Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB). Putrajaya agreed to proceed with the single wholesale network through DNB until then.

Anwar said the government will not compromise on the issue of internet access as it is a basic need for the public.

Describing telecommunication services’ coverage and network speeds as “unsatisfactory”, he said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s (MCMC) regulatory framework and role will be strengthened so that “decisive action can be taken without fear or favour against those who fail to deliver quality services”.

“The government will not compromise on this as the internet is now a basic need for the public, just like water and electricity,” he said.

He said one of the key areas currently under review is the minimum mobile broadband speed, which is currently 2.5Mbps.

Anwar said the government aimed to increase this minimum speed to 100Mbps by 2025, in line with the goals set out in the National Digital Network Plan (Jendela).