Negeri Sembilan gov't queried over billboard monopoly

Lobak state assemblyperson Anthony Loke has questioned the Negeri Sembilan government's rationale for footing the state's billboard construction cost despite having handed the business over to just one firm - Semarak Media Sdn Bhd.

"The construction cost is being footed by Yayasan Negeri Sembilan,an agency under the state government.

"My question is why must the construction cost be borne by Yayasan (Negeri Sembilan) when a crony company stands to benefit from the profits company," he said.

His arguments, Loke (right) said, were based on a written reply give in the state legislative assembly, details of which he had posted on Facebook.

According to the reply, the estimated of cost of each billboard is RM42,000.A total of 60 billboards had already been erected and another 155 are being planned.

"The cost of the 60 units is RM2.52 million with the total cost being RM9.03 million, he said.

Furthermore, he claimed that the billboards were being abused for the 13th general election campaign.

Previously, they were under the purview of the respective local governments and private companies could apply for permits to put up billboards on vacant parcels of land.

In April, Malaysiakinihad reported that 12 outdoor advertising firms in Negeri Sembilan were up in arms when abruptly informed that Semarak Media Sdn Bhd will be moving in as the sole owner and operator of billboards in the state.

Outdoor Advertising Association of Malaysia (OAAM) vice president Alex Yew had claimed the new monopoly had no prior experience in the business and had planned to hike the current billboard rental rate by10 times.