PBS deputy president Dr Maximus Ongkili said the party has received information that Warisan Harta Sdn Bhd. which holds 51% stake in Suria Capital was quietly planning to dispose of its shares to unknown private companies.

Warisan Harta is an investment arm of the State government and acts as holding company for major state assets and investments. Suria Capital Bhd. on the other hand is the listed holding entity of Sabah Bank Bhd. and Sabah Development Bank.

"The news is indeed disturbing because there is no reason at all for the government to sell Suria Capital to other parties. The two banks are precious State assets and Suria Capital as a whole is performing reasonably well. Why should Warisan sell it to unknown parties? Is this another sellout of the State's precious assets by the BN government?" he asked.

According to Dr Ongkili, Warisan Harta holds on behalf of the State government 277,529,608 shares in Suria Capital which is 51.30% of the total issued shares of 541,015,984 at RM1.00 each.

The Bandau member of parliament called on chief minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok to confirm whether there was indeed such a deal and to disclose the reasons behind the proposed sale, the price for the divestment, the name of the bidding company, and whether there has been an open tender.

He alleged that selling of the State's controlling shares in Suria Capital was an irresposible act on the part of the government, adding that the people of Sabah must stop the deal from materialising by voting in PBS in the next election.