PM: M'sia's economy impacted if ties cut with all Israel-linked companies

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said while he has cancelled all ties with Israel-owned companies based in Israel, Malaysia’s economy will be impacted if the same is done with all Israel-linked companies operating outside the country.

Amid criticisms over the acquisition of Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad (MAHB) shares by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a firm which is set to be acquired by US-based Blackrock, accused of funding the genocide in Gaza, Anwar also hit out at his critics from past administrations.

“Which ship was allowed in by the former prime minister in 2002, and continued by all subsequent governments, leaders, including a former prime minister who is making noise now?

“That is an Israeli company (from Israel). I decided to cancel cooperation with all Israel companies operating from Israel,” Anwar told reporters after Friday prayers in Petaling Jaya today.

“(But) How about companies operating in the US, Germany, and China with links to Israel?

“We have no means in the current situation to cancel (ties) because it will impact the country’s economy,” said the finance minister.

‘Unite for Palestinian cause’

Anwar also reaffirmed his commitment to fighting for the rights of Palestinians, including through various diplomatic channels and engagements with world leaders.

“But I don’t want to weaken the country’s economic strength,” he stressed.

“If the company is from Israel, I remain firm. Khazanah had issued a full statement. Some disagreed with it, but that’s okay.

“There is room for disagreement but don’t turn this into a political charade used to incite (against government),” said Anwar who called for all sides to unite for the Palestinian cause.

“In Sungai Bakap, okay we can fight, but on the issue of Gaza, Muslims especially in Malaysia, let us unite.

“If you want to score political points, this is not the place,” he said.

Boosting airports’ competitiveness

Yesterday, former Umno leader Khairy Jamaluddin said he is confident that even Umno ministers would not agree to the takeover deal if the matter was discussed in cabinet.

Previously, a consortium consisting of a subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional, the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) had announced a plan to buy MAHB’s shares and turn it into a private company.

READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | MAHB deal: What is GIP and is it linked to Israel?

Khazanah and EPF defended the acquisition as a step to boost the competitiveness of Malaysian airports.

Khazanah’s managing director Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir also stressed that Blackrock has yet to obtain GIP.

This is despite Blackrock announcing in January that it had fully acquired GIP and is expected to finalise the deal by the third quarter of this year, which is between July and September.

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