Did Elon Musk Get Special Treatment Pkr Rep Raises Poser

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PARLIAMENT | A Pakatan Harapan representative has queried if a telecommunications company owned by Elon Musk was given special treatment by the government.
Hassan Karim (Harapan-Pasir Gudang) today claimed that broadband provider Starlink is allowed to operate fully in the country without the involvement of local companies, an act that he says may threaten data security.
He said the company owned by Musk with 100 percent foreign equity had been given a broadband network provider licence for 10 years.
"I would like an explanation for we were informed that Musk's company, Starlink, has been given the privilege of 'special exemption' to operate in Malaysia with 100 percent of its equity.
"It means there is no participation from Malaysian companies themselves," Hassan (above) said when debating in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Elon MuskHassan said the government should not allow the country's space to be dominated by foreign companies that could threaten national security.
He added that 100 percent equity ownership for foreign companies operating in the country is also against the country's economic policy.
"Aren't we worried about the future of our country... this is an invasion of a new form of colonisation of the internet. This is not a matter to be treated lightly.
"This 100 percent (foreign equity) is, of course, in conflict with the country's economic policy. We used to not allow foreign companies to control 100 percent, (but) there must be a local company with 30 percent (participation) or so," he added.
Hasan also demanded that the government explain in more detail which other companies have obtained privileges similar to Starlink, and who had given the approval for this sort of licence. - Mkini

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