National security threatened by sale of MAHB shares, claims Opposition MPs

KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition lawmakers remain adamant that selling Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad’s (MAHB) shares to foreign entities will threaten national security.

Wan Ahmad Fayshal Wan Ahmad Kamal (PN-Machang) claims Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim failed to explain to the Dewan Rakyat that Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) could access the travellers’ data once the deals are formalised.

“The Prime Minister did not explain that according to a statement by GIP a few days ago, the company will play a role as a technical partner and be involved in airport management.

“The security issue raised by Paya Besar and myself were related to the ownership of the in and out data of travellers at the airport by GIP and BlackRock,” he told reporters at the Parliament building here on Tuesday (June 25).

Wan Ahmad Fayshal said that the move would create the impression that the government had colluded with BlackRock to finance the humanitarian crisis in Palestine.

“Why won’t the Prime Minister withdraw this move? Or at least delay the decision and make way for it to be debated in the Dewan Rakyat?” he said after the Prime Minister’s Question Time.

Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin (PN-Putrajaya) also questioned the government’s decision to allow a foreign company to manage the country’s strategic assets.

“This matter involves national strategic assets. Why is the government so eager to sell 30% of MAHB to GIP?” he said.

Wan Ahmad Fayshal in the Dewan Rakyat later asked Deputy Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor on what avenues can be used for the MPs to debate the former’s motion on BlackRock.

In response, Ramli said that Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul needed more time to decide on the matter.

“The Speaker has received two motions under Standing Orders 18(1) from Machang on Monday (June 24).

“The motions were received after 10am yesterday (Monday) and did not satisfy the 24 hours required for a decision to be made as stipulated in the Standing Order 18(2). There has not been any decision just yet, please wait for the Speaker,” he said.

During Prime Minister’s Question Time earlier, Anwar downplayed the allegations that national security would be affected if MAHB shares were to be sold to GIP.

He explained that Malaysia would still be the major shareholder through the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) and Khazanah Nasional.