KUALA LUMPUR (June 9): The government has appointed Dr Fadhlullah Suhaimi Abdul Malik as the new chairman of the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) effective tomorrow. 

Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said the appointment was made concurrently with the ministry’s plans for policy improvements under the MCMC, including a review of 5G spectrum allocation strategy. 

Dr Fadhlullah will take over the role from Al-Ishsal Ishak, who has served the position since October 2018. 

“Dr Fadhlullah is the vice chancellor and the CEO of Universiti Perdana. He is also a former commissioner in the MCMC, and has a 20-year experience in the telecommunications sector,” Saifuddin said in a statement.  

The minister also announced the appointment of former Telekom Malaysia Bhd CEO and managing director Tan Sri Zamzamzairani Mood Isa, as his telecommunications advisor. 

Zamzamzairani boasts a 30-year experience in the sector. He is also currently the chairman of the board of UEM Sunrise Bhd. 

On the review of MCMC’s policies, Saifuddin said this will cover three main aspects: infrastructure, 5G-readiness, and governance and transparency. 

The review comes on the heels of the new normal triggered by Covid-19, as well to ensure an effective implementation the ministry’s programmes for the long term, Saifuddin said. 

“On 5G-readiness, the spectrum allocation strategy will be improved to ensure optimum usage. 

“The structure of the industry will also be reviewed to ensure the industry’s sustainability, and the balance with consumer interest in the long run,” he added.  

Saifuddin also said that the minister’s powers will be reviewed to ensure check and balance, as part of measures to improve governance and institutional transparency.  

“The MCMC will also review its scope of work and its responsibilities, so as to provide focus towards its core business. This includes to improve the organisational structure and improve certain fields like law, auditing and human resources [management],” he said.  

The ministry also seeks to speed up the infrastructure build-up to increase coverage, he added.  

“I am confident that with the appointment of Dr Fadhlullah as the new chairman and the improvement efforts, we will strengthen the role and performance of the MCMC to benefit the people and the country,” Saifuddin said.  

The slew of changes in MCMC, particularly the review of the 5G spectrum allocations, raises further questions on the fate of 5G consortium model pushed during the tenure of the previous government.

On June 2, news broke that five companies — Telekom Malaysia Bhd, Celcom Axiata Bhd, Maxis Bhd, DiGi.Com Bhd and Altel Communications Sdn Bhd — were awarded portions of the 700 megahertz band by the ministry, via a Ministerial Order dated May 15.  

A day after the news broke, Saifuddin announced he has cancelled the award order, citing "technical issues, laws and the need to follow a clear process".

The short-lived 5G spectrum allocation to individual companies raised questions as MCMC, during the previous administration, had announced a consortium model where one consortium formed by multiple telco companies will be awarded the spectrum — a move to concentrate resources to ensure smooth development of the infrastructure involved.