Letter to editor
I REFER to recent news reports about the delay in getting the Kuala Lumpur International Airport ‘s (KLIA) aerotrain services up and running.
The services were to have resumed by the end-January 2025 (according to media reports dated back to June 19, 2024) but the delay is now indefinite and has earned the ire of Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook.
This development must be taken in the context of plans to take Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) private.
It was recently reported that MAHB which runs 39 airports in the country is nearing the 90% acceptance threshold for its takeover by the Gateway Development Alliance (GDA).
As a concerned taxpayer, and frequent user of Malaysian airports, I sincerely hope the deal goes through. The delay in getting the Aerotrain up and running is a stark reminder about why it should.
For too long, our airports have struggled to keep up with regional standards. Once a source of national pride, the KLIA has dropped in global rankings. It was the world’s second-best airport in 2001. Now, it is ranked 71st.
The broken Aerotrain, dirty washrooms and long immigration queues have become the norm.
This is not just an inconvenience for travellers. It reflects poorly on Malaysia. Regional competitors like Singapore’s Changi and Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi have invested heavily. Meanwhile, KLIA and other airports have been left behind.
Our market share has fallen while passenger satisfaction is embarrassingly low.
Fair deal
I feel that the GDA’s RM11/share offer is fair to shareholders with many reputable market research houses having attested to this.
Privatisation offers a chance to rebuild and modernise without burdening taxpayers. The consortium which includes Khazanah Nasional Bhd, the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) has the financial muscles and technical experience to turn things around for MAHB.
The RM11/share gives shareholders an opportunity to cash out at a premium. For taxpayers, it offers hope that our airports can finally turn the corner. Malaysia deserves airports that we can be proud of – airports that match the ambitions of a nation striving to lead in ASEAN and beyond.
With Malaysia chairing ASEAN in 2025, this issue takes on even greater importance as many world leaders are expected to converge on our soil. As the region’s leader, we need world-class airports that reflect our standing. Improved airports will not only boost tourism but also attract business and investment.
MAHB’s struggles are not new. For years, underinvestment and mismanagement have held the airports operator back. KLIA’s aerotrain issues alone have been a long-standing embarrassment.
Other problems like poor maintenance and delays in key projects continue to hurt Malaysia’s image.
For the sake of Malaysian airports, I hope the deal goes through. It is not just about selling shares. It is about fixing what has been broken for too long. It is about putting Malaysia back on the map as a regional leader. Let’s not let this golden opportunity slip away. – Jan 16, 2025
Vijaya Kumaran
Kuala Lumpur
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
