The National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia (Nufam) has demanded to know how much Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) has spent on its partnership with Liverpool Football Club, while employees' salaries have remained stagnant for the past three years.

"A lot of questions have been raised lately about why MAB has spent so much in sponsoring Liverpool FC, which has cost millions of ringgit.

"The saddest thing is when the issues of improving passenger service and increasing employees’ salaries are ignored and pushed aside by the company. (Of course) the employees start to feel dissatisfied.

"It has now been three years since employees' salaries were last increased, and all suggestions to discuss (this issue) have been pushed aside," the union said in a statement today.

The MAB administration had even told employees that the time was not right for a pay rise, it said.

Yet, MAB could afford to have a partnership with the English football club, the union pointed out.

"We would like to ask the administration how much they have spent on accommodation and flight tickets for these sponsored football players," it said.

The union asked why MAB had not chosen to sponsor local footballers instead.

Given its recent support for the nationwide "Negaraku" initiative, MAB as the national airline should be helping to promote national athletes, it said.

The union reiterated its call for MAB to reveal the amount of money spent on the partnership.

"Because the RM6 billion allocated by the government to MAB is meant to be used to improve the company's performance, and not for them to spend as they like, or to become a sponsor for a foreign league club," Nufam said.

Previously, MAB chief executive officer Peter Bellew said that the partnership with Liverpool FC would dramatically increase MAB's brand awareness.

This would include advertisements at each home game at the Anfield Stadium and on the Liverpool FC website, as well as co-branding opportunities.