Politically-linked tycoon Syed Mokhtar al-Bukhary-linked Puncak Semangat Sdn Bhd (PSSB) has managed to trump Sultan Ibrahim of Johor’s Redtone Network Sdn Bhd to win a bid for digital terrestrial television broadcast (DTTB) service in Malaysia.  

Another company that was shortlisted for the job was i-Media Broadcasting Solution, the Malaysian Commission of Multimedia and Communications (MCMC) said yesterday.

This followed the fledgling Puncak Semangat's July 2013 agreement with Axiata Group Bhd for exclusive spectrum sharing to provide 4G services, via its unit Altel Communications.

In a statement, MCMC said the project is to build, operate and manage the infrastructure for free-to-air broadcasters in Malaysia, and is fully funded by the bidder through own investments.

With this, broadcasters like state-owned RTM will be able to have more television and radio channels while providing other services like multi-lingual audio and electronic programme guides.

This followed a tender call by MCMC on April 22 for the best proposal to enable full migration of free-to-air broadcasters to a fully digital platform.

MCMC said that tender documents were purchased by 66 companies including system integrators, equipment suppliers and telecommunication players, but only eight submitted proposals.

Puncak Semangat was chosen after the final round of evaluation against the other two companies, which included review of their detailed business plans.

MCMC said its evaluations were done by qualified experts from June to October 2013.

“Additionally, MCMC conducted a market assessment and internal benchmarking to further validate the proposals by the three shortlisted bidders,” it said.

Syed Mokhtar’s empire includes the businesses in the following industries:

  • Food (CSR, Bernas),
  • Public Transportation construction (MMC Gamuda KVMRT),
  • Ports (Johor Ports, Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas),
  • Automotive (Proton, EON, Honda Malaysia)
  • Banking (Bank Muamalat)
  • Postal (Pos Malaysia)
  • Defence (DRB Defence Technologies)
  • Commodities (Gas Malaysia)