KUALA LUMPUR (June 1): Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB), the government-owned special purpose vehicle set up to build, own and operate Malaysia’s 5G infrastructure, has appointed telecommunication veteran Morten Lundal and Lim Tau Kien as its independent non-executive directors effective April 14 and 28, respectively.

They will join three other board members: Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU) director-general Datuk Seri Dr Yusof Ismail, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) former chairman and chief executive Datuk Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi, and lawyer Datuk Muthanna Abdullah.

“Their appointments will further elevate the board’s capacity in ensuring the best standards in corporate governance; and the combined experience of the professional appointees together with the leadership of Ralph Marshall [DNB’s CEO] with specialisation in regulatory and operating aspects of telecommunication, public finance and general management, and legal is particularly valuable as DNB makes headway in realising its goal to launch the 5G network by the end of the year,” said DNB chairman Datuk Asri Hamidon.

“The acceleration of 5G in Malaysia will be a key impetus for economic growth and digital transformation and is critical to enable advanced industry and consumer applications. It will create industry competitiveness and attractiveness for investments, with more than 100,000 new job opportunities for all Malaysians,” Asri said in a statement.

DNB said Morten has over 30 years’ experience and brings with him extensive global and local telecommunications industry knowledge and insights having held key positions at Telenor ASA in Oslo, Vodafone Group plc in London, Maxis Bhd as well as Digi.Com Bhd in Malaysia.

Meanwhile, Lim has over 40 years’ corporate experience, and was the country chief finance officer, country controller and finance director in Shell China before her retirement in 2008. She also has held several key corporate roles, including as a director of listed and non-listed companies since 1997.

DNB was set up in line with the announcement on Malaysia’s digital blueprint, MyDIGITAL, by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Feb 19.

"It marks a significant step in realising the government of Malaysia’s pioneering vision to build a single nationwide 5G network to accelerate digital growth initiatives aimed at promoting socioeconomic progress and inclusivity for all Malaysians," said the company.