National Security Assessment of Proposed Simba-M1 Merger

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information (a) whether the Government has conducted a national security assessment of the proposed Simba-M1 merger, including the implications of foreign ownership of the merged entity and Simba's use of Huawei for its 5G infrastructure; and (b) what measures are in place to address any such national security risks from telco operators.

The proposed consolidation is being assessed in accordance with the Infocomm Media Development Authority's (IMDA) Telecom and Media Competition Code (TMCC). IMDA is conducting a comprehensive review of Simba and M1's commitments to ensure that public interests, including national security considerations, continue to be met and there is no significant lessening of competition. IMDA will make a decision when it has studied these considerations thoroughly.

For national security reasons, we do not disclose which systems are designated as critical information infrastructure. It is clear that our telecommunications infrastructure is critical and our telcos play an important role in safeguarding it by adhering to strict security and resilience requirements.