Budget 2020: Government to push 5G projects with RM50 million grant

Finance Minister, Lim Guan Eng, tabled Budget 2020 in the Dewan Rakyat at 4PM today, with a fair bit of the budget going towards a digital push to improve upskill digital skills and to improve accessibility and connectivity around Malaysia. This comes as part of the Pakatan Harapan Government’s 4 pillars on which the 2020 Budget is based on—including to drive the development of the economy for the digital era.

This means that the Government is allocating RM50 million towards a grant for the development of the 5G ecosystem, with RM25 million in matching grant funds also allocated towards the promotion of digital application pilot projects for fibre optics and 5G infrastructure. These include projects for delivery drones, autonomous vehicles, blockchain tech, in addition to products and services that involve the investment and infrastructure of 5G and fibre optics.

According to the Finance Minister:

“The government wants Malaysians to be prepared for the coming 5G era and has allocated RM50 million as the Ecosystem Development Grant worth RM50 million.”

In addition to that, RM250 million will be used to provide broadband access in an effort to enhance connectivity in the interior of Malaysia, with emphasis placed on Sabah and Sarawak. Broadband access will be provided via satellite connectivity.