[UPDATED] Shares of internet infrastructure firm sold to non-Sabah company, Upko alleges

KOTA KINABALU – Upko president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau today questioned the transparency of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-led state government, alleging that it has sold a critical state asset, its internet infrastructure, to a private company from Peninsular Malaysia.

“On August 9, the Sabah government had signed a deal with Common Tower Technologies Sdn Bhd, a company fully owned by state investment arm Qhazanah Sabah Bhd.

“A day after the deal was signed, 45% of the Common Tower Technologies’ shares had been sold to a company called Stealth Solutions Sdn Bhd, a company owned by an individual from Peninsular Malaysia who only had a small paid capital,” he claimed during his policy speech at the Upko extraordinary general meeting held in Penampang today.

Tangau further claimed that some rumours had been circulating that around RM80 million was found in the office of Qhazanah Sabah chairman, saying the matter is now being probed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

“Even the terms of the transaction are being kept a secret. The cost of charges charged to consumers and businessmen are also not made public,” he alleged.

“It was said the matter is being probed by the MACC. I urged the MACC to make public what it is that they are investigating to end all the questions raised by the people in Sabah,” he said. 

Referring to the Sepanggar water debacle, the Tuaran MP questioned what happened to the corruption probe into Sabah Water Department, where RM114.5 million was allegedly found in the department’s office.

“The non-revenue water in Sabah is the highest in Malaysia at 52%, although the problem could have been resolved five year ago.

“But what we have seen when billions of ringgit are allocated to Sabah, the water department did not look into resolving the problem, instead they are pocketing the money,” said Tangau. – The Vibes, November 27, 2021