Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), Malaysia’s first wholesale 5G community operator, has now been absolutely privatized, with the Ministry of Finance (MOF) having utterly divested its 31.18% shareholding within the firm.
Malaysia’s communications minister, Fahmi Fadzil, lately advised native media that the federal government’s monetary obligations to the DNB had been decreased to zero by the top of final month, after a syndicated Islamic time period financing deal price 5.2 billion Malaysian ringgit (US$1.27 billion) was accomplished.
“I’m pleased to say that from the top of September, the federal government now not has any legal responsibility. We’re very grateful that so far as the cellular community operators are involved, they’ve dedicated to what they stated they’d,” Fahmi stated, as quoted by the New Strait Occasions.
He added that the federal government expects DNB to change into absolutely self-financing sooner or later, ruling out the potential for additional authorities help.
With the MOF’s exit as a majority shareholder, CelcomDigi, Maxis and YTL Communications now maintain equal possession of the DNB. The federal government nonetheless holds a particular share within the firm to guard nationwide pursuits and guarantee “continued stewardship of key strategic issues”.
Increasing company attain
The MYR5.2 billion mortgage, introduced in early October, refinances DNB’s Authorities Assure Revolving Credit score Facility (GGRCF), which expired on September 29, 2026. This offers the corporate with a sustainable, long-term funding construction to assist its future development.
DNB CEO Azman Ismail was quoted as saying that this financing – paired with the corporate’s current spectrum assignments and the shareholder transition nonetheless underway – would assist maintain its operations beneath Malaysia’s twin 5G community construction.
He stated that income from the corporate’s present entry agreements with telecom operators would assist its capacity to service its financing obligations, on condition that rising 5G utilization generates greater earnings.
Ismail added that the DNB plans to increase into the company and business sectors, the place the elevated use of 5G may increase operational effectivity and create new market alternatives.
