KUALA LUMPUR: YTL Communications has come under scrutiny for delays in activating telecommunications towers allocated to it under the National Digital Network Plan (Jendela).
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said YTL was assigned 51 towers, of which 17 were completed over nine months ago but remain non-operational.
"YTL is the worst performer ('paling corot') among the companies involved in the project. I apologise for having to say this.
"So I requested the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to review the towers facing delays, and stern action will be taken against the contractors, whether for the first or second phase," he said at the Dewan Rakyat today.
Fahmi was responding to Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (PN-Kuala Kangsar) regarding implementation of the telecommunications tower project under Jendela.
He was also addressing the extent of actions taken against contractors who fail to complete projects within the stipulated timeframe.
Fahmi said penalties may be imposed under the notification of approval to the tower builders for failing to complete the towers within the stipulated timeframe.
These, he said, include liquidated damages on parties involved, forfeiture the performance bond, rejecting claims and legal action under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Fahmi said MCMC is gathering information and evidence of non-compliance to take action against contractors failing failed to complete the towers within the stipulated time.
"I am committed to ensuring that any incomplete towers, especially those that have been completed, will be followed up, and I expect the telecommunication firms to ensure their towers are operational."
Meanwhile, Fahmi said out of 1,661 towers, 1,385 have been completed, but only 808 are operational.
He said CelcomDigi has received 866 towers, with 193 out of 366 still in progress and not yet operational.
"Maxis has received 134 towers, 96 of which are still in progress, including 10 that were completed over nine months ago but are not yet operational.
"U Mobile has completed 143 towers, with 19 still in progress, including two that have been completed for more than nine months but are not operational."
He said Redtone has received 191 towers, with 45 still in progress, including four completed over 9 months ago.