Looking to China’s 5G success

      

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Malaysia wants to learn from China's success in 5G ...

  

Fahmi: We can learn a lot from them on improving connectivity

BEIJING: Malaysia is attracted by the success of 5G implementation in China, which currently covers over 90% of populated areas and has led to improved connectivity, especially in rural areas.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil (pic) said this is especially so with the country implementing a dual network model of 5G high-speed Internet to provide quality and inclusive telecommunications services to the people.

This was among the matters discussed by Fahmi at a bilateral meeting with China’s Industry and Information Technology Minister Jin Zhuanlong here on Thursday.“During the meeting, we had the opportunity to discuss various topics, including the implementation status of the 5G network in China and Malaysia, the challenges encountered and key improvements or insights we can learn from each other.

“One of the main challenges we face in Malaysia, particularly in the remote, rural, island and hilly areas, is where fibre installation as a backhaul solution poses significant difficulties,” he told Bernama after the meeting.

Fahmi said the discussion also touched on “direct-to-cell” technology involving low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, which are seen as a potential solution to address Internet problems in remote areas and regions without Internet connection.

According to data from China’s Industry and Information Technology Ministry, the number of 5G base stations in the nation exceeded 4.04 million as of August.The figure accounts for 32.1% of the total number of mobile base stations across China, with the number of 5G mobile subscribers reaching 966 million nationwide.In Malaysia, a total of 7,191 5G sites have been developed across the country with 564 in Sabah and 551 in Sarawak, while the coverage level is now 81.9% in populated areas.

Fahmi said that during the meeting, they also discussed the 5G innovation challenge, which saw vendors as providers of equipment facilities for 5G in adapting and producing innovation.“This is interesting and I request MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission) to conduct more in-depth talks, including on matters such as the use of submarine cables,” he added.

Fahmi said he hoped that the meeting could strengthen the relationship between the two ministries, thereby helping agencies such as MCMC to obtain useful input in the implementation of the 5G network.

This was the second meeting between the two leaders. The first was in Putrajaya in June last year.

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UN Pact for the Future builds up a hard-won consensus

 

The delegates are taking part in the UN Summit of the Future in New York, the US, on September 22, 2024. Photo: AFP

From Sunday to Monday, local time, the United Nations (UN) organized the Summit of the Future in its New York headquarters, attended by more than 130 heads of state and government. The Summit's name emphasizes its core objective: to build a better world for future generations by focusing on current global challenges through the lens of the future. The Pact for the Future and its annexes, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations, adopted at the Summit, represent a wish list crafted by the UN family based on the latest international consensus. They provide guidelines for action in areas such as peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation, human rights, gender, youth and future generations, as well as the transformation of global governance. This is not just a document; it is a vow to the future and a promise to future generations.

The Summit of the Future was held at a time when humankind stands at a crossroads, facing an urgent need to forge consensus. As UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, this summit is crucial because "the challenges we face are moving much faster than our ability to solve them." At present, humankind is confronting severe and multiple tests: the risk of Lebanon becoming "another Gaza" has risen sharply, extreme weather is impacting the planet with alarming frequency, trade protectionism has sparked a backlash against globalization, and emerging technologies have created a crisis for which there is no existing governance experience to draw upon. At a time when the world is undergoing great transformation, renewing and reforming international cooperation should be a decisive first step. The convening of the Summit of the Future is not only an important assessment of the existing global governance system, but also a collective reflection on the future direction of the world.

The Pact for the Future, adopted by the Summit, sets out 56 pledges to action aimed at "laying the foundations for a sustainable, just, and peaceful global order - for all peoples and nations." Although considered by some to be "not as ambitious as originally intended," the pact still paints a picture of aspirational ideals: a world where the indiscriminate use of lethal weapons is avoided and greater peace and tranquility prevail; a world where multilateralism is practiced and developing countries have a greater say in international financial institutions; a world where renewable energy and sustainable development are pursued, and climate change is effectively curbed; a world where cyberspace security is guaranteed and global digital cooperation is realized. This is undoubtedly a world worthy of the struggle and dedication of all humankind.

Some media outlets have commented that the world body avoids diplomatic chaos at the Summit of the Future. The Pact for the Future, which has undergone "bargaining" among the representatives of member states, is not a legally binding document, but it reflects a hard-won consensus in an increasingly diverse international community. This once again highlights the central role and leadership of the UN in global affairs, as well as the value of genuine multilateralism in addressing challenges such as the climate crisis, inequality, and other unpredictable global risks. In the current complex international situation, effective collective efforts within the framework of the UN remain the optimal choice and the greatest common denominator.

As we enter a new era, we face the significant question of "what kind of a world we should build and how to build it." China has provided an answer: constructing a community with a shared future for mankind. Regarding the Summit of the Future, China has repeatedly expressed its support. At the recent Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, China and Africa expressed unanimous support for the UN to hold the Summit of the Future. In addition, China has actively participated in consultations on the Pact for the Future, focusing on the future and destiny of humanity and universal well-being, and has put forward constructive opinions and suggestions to promote mutual understanding and consensus among all parties. These actions reflect China's commitment to promoting the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind, implementing the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, practicing true multilateralism, and jointly creating a better future for all humanity. 

In the Pact for the Future, there is a statement that reads, "We recognize that sustainable development in all its three dimensions is a central goal in itself and that its achievement, leaving no one behind, is and always will be a central objective of multilateralism." Moving forward, the implementation of the Pact for the Future will require a strong commitment to seeking common ground while reserving differences, as well as close cooperation and coordination among countries, and the effective operation and support of multilateral institutions. Developed countries, which possess more resources and advantages in political, military, economic, technological, and educational aspects, should take on greater international responsibilities in maintaining regional peace, promoting global sustainable development, and addressing climate change, while also creating more opportunities for developing countries to participate in global governance. 

In the process of building a safer, more sustainable, and fairer world, the voices of "Global South" countries must not be overlooked. The joint participation and contribution of both developed countries and "Global South" countries are crucial for achieving the ambitious goals of the Pact for the Future.

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China and Africa have mutually beneficial needs, says AU representative to China

Rahmat Allah Mohamed Osman, the permanent representative of the African Union (AU) to China, highlighted in a recent interview with Global Times that the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) that just concluded in Beijing is significant for China-Africa relations. He believes that China and Africa have mutually beneficial needs, and expresses hopes for the implementation of more policies in China's support in agriculture, industry, and talent development to Africa.

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China aligns with Africa

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Winds of change in Penang DAP

Steven Sim Chee Keong 沈志强

 Sim succeeds Chow as state party chairman after polls at ordinary convention

GEORGE TOWN: A wind heralding change has blown through the halls of power in Penang.

The collective force of the 1,500-odd delegates of Penang DAP who cast their votes yesterday indicated a shift away from the powerful “Lim family” in the party.

Not all candidates known to be aligned with party chairman Lim Guan Eng scored enough votes to win a coveted seat in the state party committee – a sign that there are complex workings in the party that outsiders cannot measure.

Human Resources Minister Steven Sim became the new Penang DAP chairman from now until 2027 after scoring the second highest number of votes from state party delegates (1,237 votes).

Sim was asked to comment on the fact that assuming the post meant he could be the chief minister designate.

The Bukit Mertajam MP picked the middle ground: “We focus on the working on the ground first, make sure we win the next election and establish the government together.

“All that can be discussed later; we focus on working on the ground. Thank you,” he told the media in a minute-long press conference.

Penang DAP had its ordinary convention yesterday, requiring 1,500-odd delegates to vote in 15 out of 31 nominees to be in the state liaison committee.

After their votes were tallied and the 15 members were determined, the 15 then enter closed doors to thrash out who would be the chairman, deputy, secretary, treasurer and other office-bearers.

When the doors were opened, reporters got the news they had expected: Sim would take over from Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow as the new chairman.

Sim’s deputy is now Ramkarpal Singh, a son of the late party stalwart Datuk Seri Karpal Singh, who actually gained the most number of votes from Penang DAP delegates (1,247 votes).

Guan Eng’s sister Hui Ying, who is Deputy Finance Minister and Tanjong MP, retained her post as Penang DAP secretary. But she only garnered 827 votes.

Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, who used to be Chow’s political secretary, climbed up and became state party treasurer.The combination of Sim and Hui Ying as the chairman and secretary had earlier received open endorsement from DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke.

Among biggest casualties were Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo and state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai.

Other state assemblymen who did not make the cut were Heng Lee Lee (Berapit), Joseph Ng (Air Itam), K. Kumaran (Bagan Dalam) and Ong Ah Teong (Batu Lanchang).

These were among personalities believed to be attentive to Guan Eng’s opinions.

Guan Eng, who was Penang chief minister from 2008 to 2018, had never been the Penang DAP chairman. But a convention exists in that the “chief minister designate” is usually the chairman of the leading party in a given state.

State exco member Zairil Khir Johari (fourth, 1,166 votes) and Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin (third, 1,225), a former state exco member, were appointed as the state party vice-chairmen.

State party assistant secretary post went to H’ng Mooi Lye, the Penang local government executive councillor.

The assistant treasurer post will be held by Lay Hock Peng.

The organising secretary is now Phee Boon Chee, the younger brother of Penang DAP veteran Datuk Seri Phee Boon Poh, while the assistant organising secretary post will be held by both Lee Wei Seang and Lim Siew Khim.

The state DAP publicity secretary is now Joshua Woo and the assistant publicity secretary is Datuk Soon Lip Chee.

The director of political education is Daniel Gooi, who is the Penang state exco member for youth, sports and health.

The six committee members are Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo, RSN Rayer, Phee Syn Tze, Ooi Yong Woi, Teh Chuann Yien and Foo Yu Keong

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Penang DAP delegates send signal to Lim family