Three government-linked companies - Malaysia Airlines Bhd, Telekom Malaysia Bhd and Axiata Group Bhd - confirmed with Bursa Malaysia today that they did not get any proposals from former MAS chairperson Tajudin Ramli to settle their on-going suits against him and his counter-claims.

The confirmations were made in separate statements the three companies issued to Bursa Malaysia today.

MAS acknowledged receiving a letter from the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department dated Aug 8.

"However to date, MAS has not received any proposal for settlement from Tajudin, and is not engaged in any negotiation with him in regard to an out-of-court settlement of the suits concerning MAS.

tajudin ramli "MAS is always open to explore an amicable out-of-court settlement in any dispute it is involved in, provided MAS' board of directors are fully satisfied that based on proper legal advice, a settlement and the terms thereof are in the best interests of the company and its stakeholders," the MAS statement to Bursa says.

Telekom, which is facing a counter-claim from Tajudin ( left ), also acknowledged it received a letter from the Prime Minister's Department, and similarly said it has not received any proposal for settlement, and is not engaged in any negotiations with Tajudin.

"A further announcement will be made if there is any material development," the statement by Telekom says.

However, Axiata Group said neither Celcom or Axiata received any letter from the government, as had been reported by the media.

'Only if Umno-linked law firm is appointed'

However, it acknowledged that Celcom was involved in various legal suits with Tajudin and was open to explore an amicable out-of-court settlement in any dispute it is involved in, provided it is fully satisfied that a settlement and the terms thereof are in the best interest of the company.

"The Celcom and Axiata board of directors will deliberate on any settlement proposal made upon receipt of a firm proposal on the same," Axiata says in its statement.

Another public listed company that is privately owned, Atlan Holdings Bhd, which is involved in property investment and development, hospitality and travel, said it had not received any letter on the withdrawal of the civil suits against Tajudin.

"We are not involved in the matters reported in the media. All the suits involving Tajudin and our company or group are still pending," Atlan Holdings said.

Malaysiakini reported today that the GLCs have been left in a dark over a proposed 'global settlement' between them and Tajudin, and although this had been mentioned several times since last October, the terms for the settlement have not been disclosed.

According to sources, government investment arm Khazanah Nasional Bhd at a meeting with the GLCs recently told them the terms of the global settlement would be disclosed to them only if they appointed the legal firm of Umno-linked lawyer Mohd Hafarizam Harun to represent them.