Several high-flying Malaysians have been identified to helm troubled national carrier Malaysia Airlines, following an uproar over reports that it would hire a foreigner, a report said today.

The New Straits Times cited a high-level source within the airline as saying that the candidates identified had had experience in top positions in multinationals overseas and possess track records for turning around companies and improving operations.

Discussions on the new chief are in the final stages and barring any hitches, should be completed "soon," the source said.

Malaysia Airlines has said it will fill the post vacated by managing director Ahmad Fuaad Dahlan within six months, but the daily said an announcement is likely to be made earlier.

The source also said that some key management positions could be filled by expatriates to help shake off years of lethargy and poor performance.

"MAS has always hired expatriates. It is not a new thing. If we want to be the best in the world, we have to get the best from anywhere in the world to join us," said the source, who declined to reveal further details.

"The people we look at and are talking to already hold very senior positions. Any leak would jeopardise negotiations."

A colonisation

The company posted a RM280.66 million net loss in the three months to June, from a profit of RM26.58 million a year earlier. Ahmad Fuaad resigned at the same time.

The government's investment arm Khazanah Nasional, which holds a 69.3 percent interest in the airline, was reportedly considering approaching several "big names" from overseas for the position, to boost its flagging performance.

The alleged plan was immediately criticised by Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, a leader in the ruling Umno, as "another form of colonisation."

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who chairs Khazanah, said Sunday that he would prefer hiring a Malaysian for the job, but did not rule out the possibility of taking on a foreigner.

After posting the disappointing result, Malaysia Airlines announced an ambitious five-year plan to boost profits by up to RM1 billion, including shaking up its management.