Without disclosing the locations or names of the companies involved, he said these sales occurred before he and his deputy Teo Nie Ching took charge of the communications ministry.

Fahmi stressed that it is the responsibility of these companies to complete the projects within the stipulated timeframes.

“I’ve asked my team to look into it because we don’t want any delays,” he told reporters after the ministry’s monthly assembly here today.

Fahmi said the companies involved had failed to implement the projects, forcing the ministry to issue its strongest warning.

He said the admission by some companies that they sold the projects to other parties raised questions about how they secured the projects in the first place.

“We have asked them to expedite the projects and if they fail, legal action can be taken.

“For now, I leave it to the ministry’s secretary-general Fauzi Isa to review and improve the implementation of these projects,” said Fahmi, who is also the unity government’s spokesman.

When asked if the ministry would blacklist the companies involved, Fahmi said it is being considered, given that it concerns the companies’ integrity and capability.

“The issue is that when people complain about the lack of internet connection, they blame me, Teo and the ministry.

“However, part of the fault lies with the contractors who were appointed and received the contracts for the projects.

“Failure to carry out the projects should lead to strict action taken against them.

“For example, some projects were supposed to be completed by December 2022, but remain unfinished to this day. I don’t know how these companies were appointed,” Fahmi said.

Earlier in his speech, Fahmi raised the issue of internet access in several areas and expressed dissatisfaction with the progress of internet development projects in such areas, attributing it to the companies’ negligence.