The Communications and Multimedia Ministry will investigate claims that the company operating paid television, Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad (Astro), imposes hidden charges and penalties on its subscribers.

Its minister, Salleh Said Keruak, said any action taken by the company was subject to the terms and conditions when it was given the operating licence.

"We are investigating complaints that we receive, and from time to time we have discussions with Astro.

"Whatever Astro does must be subject to the conditions, when we gave the licence, we gave them conditions, if they violate the conditions of the licence, then of course action will be taken," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after launching the new broadband network, Yes 4G LTE, by service provider YTL Communications Sdn Bhd in Kuala Lumpur today.

Salleh was commenting on claims by an Astro subscriber who uploaded a posting on his Facebook account that the company had imposed high penalty charges on him when he wanted to switch packages and end his contract with it.

The post by 'Sephia Mhd Bhrm' claimed that he was given a notice that the fee for the sports package he subscribed had been increased by RM8 and then when he wanted to terminate his subscription, he was told to pay RM360.

He said the charge included a penalty fee of RM200; RM88 for the monthly bill and RM70 for one month's notice.

The status was shared by more than 21,000 Facebook users.

Salleh said users had the right whether to use the services of the station or not.

Also present at the event were YTL Corporation Berhad chairperson and its managing director Francis Yeoh Sock Ping.

- Bernama