PAC looking into calls for it to investigate sale of MAHB shares

PARLIAMENT | The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will look into calls for it to investigate the sale of Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) shares to a Blackrock-linked company.

This is according to its chairperson Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (PN-Masjid Tanah), who touched on the matter during her winding-up speech after the tabling of a PAC report this afternoon.

"Regarding the issue raised by Putrajaya (MP Radzi Jidin)... I believe many other members of this Dewan Rakyat had also raised the same suggestion before, for PAC to look into the MAHB issue and summon (relevant parties to testify).

"InsyaAllah, we will look into the matter," she said.

Earlier, Radzi, when debating the PAC report on HRD Corporation, proposed the committee initiate an investigation into the MAHB shares issue.

According to Radzi, PAC should take a proactive measure and prevent the government from moving forward with its plan to sell 30 percent of MAHB shares to a foreign entity, which he claimed lacked basis.

The MAHB shares controversy erupted on May 15, when Khazanah Nasional Berhad announced that the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) - through GIP Aurea Pte Ltd - would form a consortium to acquire shares in the airport operator.

The decision courted flak from various quarters after it was found that Blackrock, a company deemed to have ties with Israel, is acquiring GIP.

However, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim defended the decision, saying Malaysia’s economy would be impacted if it were to cancel ties with all Israel-linked companies.

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