OPPOSITION MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal has called for the National Audit Department to investigate the recent sale of Malaysia Airlines Holding Bhd (MAHB) shares to Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP).
The controversy began on May 15, when Khazanah Nasional Berhad announced that the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and GIP, through GIP Aurea Pte Ltd, would form a consortium to acquire shares in the airport operator.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, Wan Fayhsal who is also the Machang MP, highlighted that Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim serves as both Khazanah’s chairperson and the finance minister.
“So what are the issues that these ‘three people’ are discussing?
“Isn’t this the same recipe that caused 1MDB’s failure that all of you (government MPs) were against?” he queried when debating a bill on amendments to the Audit Act 1957 in the august house today.
The decision has faced criticism from various quarters after it was revealed that Blackrock, a company perceived to have ties with Israel, is acquiring GIP.
Moreover, Wan Fayhsal urged Putrajaya to follow Norway’s National Transparency Act by tabling all sales of the nation’s strategic shares in the lower house before making decisions.
“As government MPs, you made it halal. It wasn’t even discussed in the Cabinet. So I ask the National Audit Department to investigate the sales of MAHB shares to Blackrock and GIP,” he added.
On June 21, GIP stated that Blackrock would not be involved with MAHB, as GIP management would remain fully in charge of the company. On the same day, Anwar clarified that discussions with GIP had started before Blackrock’s involvement.
Furthermore, the PM also noted that severing ties with all Israeli-linked companies operating in Malaysia would harm the economy, adding that Blackrock already holds interests in many companies in the country. – July 3, 2024
