Malaysia advocates for digital sovereignty and cybersecurity at ITU conference

At the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 2026 Plenipotentiary Conference in Doha, Malaysian Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil called for global recognition of digital sovereignty. He warned against “technology colonialism,” where advanced nations dictate the digital infrastructure and policies of developing countries. Fahmi noted that Malaysia’s own 5G implementation, which transitioned from a single wholesale model to a dual-network model, required managing complex geopolitical and diplomatic sensitivities.

Fahmi also emphasized the need to prioritize cybersecurity and online child protection within the global digital agenda, particularly as artificial intelligence and new technologies evolve. He stated that innovation must be accompanied by protective measures to build public trust in the digital economy.

To address future cyber threats, Malaysia is developing a national plan to transition to post-quantum cryptography. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has been tasked with engaging the National Security Council, the National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA), and telecommunications operators to create a joint research and development testing platform. This initiative aims to secure critical information infrastructure against quantum computing risks.