KUALA LUMPUR (July 30): Port operator Suria Capital Holdings Bhd (KL:SURIA) said it has received an initial letter of notification from the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECOS) for a 100-megawatt gas peaking plant in Kimanis, Sabah.

The letter was granted to a consortium comprising Suria Capital’s wholly-owned subsidiary, SCHB Engineering Services Sdn Bhd (SCES) and Innoprise Corp Sdn Bhd, according to a bourse filing on Wednesday.

Innoprise Corp is an investment vehicle of Yayasan Sabah and a major shareholder in plantation outfit Innoprise Plantations Bhd (KL:INNO).

“The letter outlines the key commercial and technical terms for the project and marks a significant milestone in the company’s involvement in Sabah’s energy development agenda,” Suria Capital said, adding that it will make further announcements as the project progresses.

Suria Capital, which operates eight ports in Sabah, was recently in the spotlight after one of its directors was charged in court with allegedly accepting a bribe. The company, without disclosing the name of the director, clarified that the charge is unrelated to its operations or financials.

Media reports had identified the director as Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob, the Sindumin state assemblyman, who is also a non-independent, non-executive director at Suria Capital. Yusof has pleaded not guilty to allegedly accepting a RM200,000 bribe. The court has fixed August 5 for pretrial case management.

Shares in Suria Capital closed down seven sen or 4.12% to RM1.63 on Wednesday, valuing the company at RM563.69 million.