KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s telecommunications system and connectivity is expected to improve with the appointment of an investment company to help make this vision into a reality.

       Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (pic) said the Qhazanah Sabah - a state government investment arm - would have exclusive rights to spearhead development of telecommunication infrastructure in Sabah.

       He said the state government aimed to overcome internet connectivity challenges with much needed telecommunication facilities, especially in the rural areas.

       Its wholly owned subsidiary, Common Tower Technologies Sdn Bhd (CTTSB) was in charge of upgrading and building of new telecommunication towers in Sabah.

       “Through CTTSB, the state government will be upgrading more than 2,000 telecommunication towers and building 400 new ones under the National Digital Network Plan (Jendela),” Hajiji said.

       “CTTSB is one of the largest independent tower owners and operators in Malaysia. The company owns, operates, and manages 257 telecommunication towers in Sabah following its appointment to undertake the TIME2 Project in Sabah in 2005,” he said.

       An agreement to this effect was signed on Monday (Aug 9), with state secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong signing on behalf of the state government while Qhazanah Sabah was represented by CTTSB chairman Ghazalie Ansing.

       The signing was witnessed by Hajiji together with Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin and Qhazanah Sabah Chairman Datuk Seri Salleh Tun Said Keruak.