Calls to oust Gobind as TM shares tank

Updated 7 years ago · Published on 20 Nov 2018 11:45AM · 23 Comments

Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo says TM must be proactive and respond to customers' complaints. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, November 20, 2018.

AN online petition calling for Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo to be replaced has gathered more than 10,000 signatures over alleged claims of bias against Telekom Malaysia (TM).

The petition, which is being shared widely on social media by TM staff and those who said they are concerned for its employees and shareholders, notes that TM’s share price has dropped ever since he became a minister after Pakatan Harapan came into power.

“Every single issue that has been raised… he push(es) the blame to TM without explaining anything as a telecommunications minister should do. 

“He has also been biased by not addressing (issues) citizens raise regarding Maxis or Astro,” said the petition on change.org with 10,958 signatures as of 11.30am. Its target is 15,000 signatures.

The petition followed internet-service disruptions since Saturday night in several areas nationwide because of third-party contractors working on the MRT3 rail project in Sentul and Sabak Bernam. 

Gobind admonished TM on his Twitter account, telling the company to be more sensitive to customers and calling for greater transparency in its communications about problems and solutions.

“Whatever the cause, TM should value their customers and respond. Being quiet isn’t an option especially where there r many Streamyx users,” he tweeted on Saturday.

In mid-October, The Edge reported that TM’s share price had been on the decline since the new government took over, losing RM12 billion in market capitalisation since then.

The slide began with Gobind’s announcement that the four major telecommunications companies – TM, Maxis Bhd, TIME dotCom Bhd and Celcom Axiata Bhd – would have to agree on mandatory standard access pricing (MSAP) so that consumers could enjoy lower fixed broadband prices.

TM is the largest fixed broadband market player and stands to be the most impacted. 

But complaints about its service also formed the highest number of reports lodged with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

MCMC said it received the most (21%) complaints about TM involving its Unifi coverage, service disruption, billing disputes and service delivery.

Complaints against TM have gone up by 43% from last year to this year.

TM responded in a statement yesterday, saying it was working to double the speed at current broadband prices. It was also continuously investing in rolling out the LTE 4G network and WiFi hot spots to complement its fixed network.

Explaining why Streamyx customers faced more problems, it acknowledged that this was due to the limitations of the copper network which would require a “longer term and more permanent solution” that would take time to implement with higher costs.

The latest blow to TM shares came yesterday with the sudden resignation of its acting group chief executive officer Bazlan Osman, some five months after his appointment to the post to replace former CEO Shazalli Ramly.

TM shares fell 4.62% to RM2.27. Before the May 9 elections, it had been trading at RM5 per share. – November 20, 2018. 

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Comments

  • TM share price has been declining for many years under the former BN government. The CEO was a political appointee..cant expect much from him. Gobind is doing his best to bring affordable broadband to every home, we should be thankful for that. Given time and appointing the right CEO will bring TM back to its glory days. Be patient. You only sack incompetent deadwood and Gobind is not one of them.

    Posted 7 years ago by Lily Cheong · Reply

  • Of course the shares will drop when the new Government wants the telco companies not to suck the rakyat 's money. You want the shares to increase, then let the telco companies increase all charges by double and the rakyat have to pay for it. Bangang!

    Posted 7 years ago by SSY L · Reply

  • Inilah orang orang Najib di belakang petition ini. Bodoh!

    Posted 7 years ago by SSY L · Reply

  • Wow, the moment someones does something to rectify the lacklustre standards that we have been used too, an online petition is now the way the try to bully someone

    Posted 7 years ago by Raghu Thiyagarajan · Reply

  • Mangkuk petition.

    Posted 7 years ago by Awang Bilis · Reply

  • TM has monopolized the telecommunications industry for decades and has grown fat. They're the ones owning the core infrastructure of the telcom/internet industry. Maxis and others have to rent from TM. It is natural TM staff reacted this way as their mindset cannot be corrected. Deadwood is a good description. Frankly speaking, Maxis is ALSO not up to par for a long time.

    Posted 7 years ago by Ryan Li · Reply

  • If TM cannot live up to its business performance and expectations, then the key employees should be terminated. For the first time in history, comes along a Minister who is duly concerned about TM. These rascals at TM have been sitting in their laurels for years and years with no regard to performance.. Now they feel threatened and start a stupid signature campaign. Good let them be threatened.
    YB Minister, you are obviously doing a great job and please clean up the 60 years of rubbish accumulate at TM.
    YB, Be firm and decisive in your actions. I can tell you there are thousands and hundreds of thousands of people who support you in such an initiative.
    Some suggested initiatives to ensure that our TM and telco companies achieve international standards:
    1. Form a task force comprise all Telecommunications representatives and establish a unilateral on the targeted achievements for the nation.
    2. Establish national KPIs to be achieved by the Telco companies. This will ensure healthy competition.
    2. Appoint auditors to monitor progress and report on periodic basis.

    Posted 7 years ago by TTs Take · Reply

  • Who cares of TMs share price decline when the fundamentals in the company are lacking in the first place..
    Strengthen these fundamentals as pointed out by the minister to strengthen TMs service to the public.
    I give you just 2 example..
    My land line was out of service from 7 Nov. Despite repeated calls to TM, the line till today is out of service! This is the second time. The first was in Oct this year!!!! What service is this?
    But when it came to focussing on matters not related to TM operations - like advertising budget for GE14, Telekom Malaysia played a big role- helmed by Sazali Ramli - TMs previous CEO/President.
    Today, when they are supposed to deliver a decent level of service, they are suffering! The performance of all TM staff should be reviewed and only the best retained.

    Posted 7 years ago by TTs Take · Reply

  • It is about time somebody call a spade a spade. Otherwise many in that glamorous building would still be engaging in self denial.

    Posted 7 years ago by Yoon Fatt Ng · Reply

  • the lazy workers in TM are angry...they want salary without effort...what is new in this country??.....keep it going Gobind...push them to the edge.

    Posted 7 years ago by Lipdah Lia · Reply

  • Keep up your good work Gobind! We Malaysians fully support you. God bless you!

    Posted 7 years ago by Jordan Lee · Reply

  • Simple!!! play the same game. Put another petition insisting that Gobind Deo is doing a good job and there to stay!!!

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • There is no limit to stupidity with the petitions to oust Gobind.
    The Minister wants improvement and better services for TM users.
    Those petitioners want slower internet speed and continual high charges.
    We support the Minister.
    Who cares about TM share prices?

    Posted 7 years ago by Manfredd Ng · Reply

  • TM should buck up the services they provide to customers. It's still very far behind the standard services they should provide to customers.

    Posted 7 years ago by Will Be Humble · Reply

  • Golly gee, I thought the Little Napoleons were mainly dancing in the halls of Jab Kjaan... now I know they're also occupying the corridors of private companies ...

    Posted 7 years ago by Rock Hensem · Reply

  • Keep up the good work YB Gobind.

    Posted 7 years ago by Robert Phang · Reply

  • TM has been a disgrace as far as their service is concerned ... In Georgetown Penang, their streamyx service is so pathetic yet they have the audacity to charge the exorbitant monthly service charges???

    Posted 7 years ago by G Sukumaran Gopal · Reply

  • Excellent job Gobind. Finally a minister we can be proud of.

    Posted 7 years ago by Gabriel Chelliah · Reply

  • kipidap YB Gobind... you're doing an excellent job....

    Posted 7 years ago by The Lone Ranger ... · Reply

  • It's time we have someone in ministerial capacity to fight for consumers. I waited for hours at TM recently to restored to my original plan. The crowd was huge and complaints were heard from one person to the next. It's time consumers must not be taken for granted.

    Posted 7 years ago by Concerned Citizen · Reply

  • TM employees are so use to monopoly business that they choose to ignore its customers.
    Now Gobind gave them a shelling they cannot take it.
    Wake up my friend the world is moving forward and consumers needed services in order to be loyal. So wake up and do your job well.

    Posted 7 years ago by Adrian Tan · Reply

  • Keep it up YB. TM enough stop your bullshit as a Consumer l m sick and fed up with your service we are paying for what Assholes TM.

    Posted 7 years ago by Danial Abdullah · Reply

  • I have personally been involved in conducting training programs on leadership and management to the top management of TM. Can tell you I wasnt impressed. All have the entitlement attitude. They may be smart people but they have never been pressured to perform. So please, Gobind is NOT the cause.

    Posted 7 years ago by J R · Reply