Gov't doesn't have the capacity to bail out MAS - Azmin
The government is not in a position to extend a lifeline to ailing national carrier Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAS), Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali said...
The government is not in a position to extend a lifeline to ailing national carrier Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAS), Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali said.
"Well that is only an option, but certainly we want to see what is the best option available before us because, as mentioned by the prime minister, we have spent a huge amount of money for the last five years and currently we don't have the capacity to do so," Azmin told reporters at Parliament today.
The minister said this when asked if the government would bail out MAS.
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said last week that the government was considering shutting down the troubled airline.
This was after MAS' owner Khazanah Nasional said the airline had accounted for half of the RM7.3 billion impairment cost in 2018, which in turn resulted in Khazanah's RM6.3 billion pre-tax loss for that year.
Mahathir has since said that there have been private offers to take over MAS.
Azmin said this would be looked into.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke, when met earlier, urged Putrajaya and MAS to come up with a decision on the airlines future "as soon as possible".
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.