Mohamad Hasan’s view on MAHB shares is a personal opinion, not UMNO’s, says Zahid
KUALA LUMPUR: UMNO agrees with the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the issue of partial ownership of shares in Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad (MAHB) by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) which has an interest in Blackrock Inc (Blackrock).
Berita Harian reported that UMNO President who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, said his deputy, Datuk Mohamad Hassan’s statement regarding the issue yesterday was the Foreign Minister’s personal view.
“The opinion given by Tok Mat (Mohamad) is his personal opinion and I met him last night.
“He stated that was only his view and did not reflect UMNO’s official view,” he said here, today.
He was met when inaugurating the UiTM Administration’s Supreme Leadership Charisma Program throughout the country.
Ahmad Zahid also said that the issue had also been discussed several times in the Cabinet, but had not been discussed in detail.
“Detailed details of the matter have been explained in a meeting yesterday with all members of the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara,” he said.
Last Friday, Anwar asked that the issue not be turned into a ‘political drama’ and at the same time cannot deny the government’s efforts in voicing the issue in Gaza.
Anwar stressed that the government does not want to act on any foreign company that is alleged to have a support link with Israel, because the move is feared to affect the country’s economy.
“While we fight hard and defend the fate of the Palestinian people, especially in Gaza, we are ready to face anyone.
“But I do not want to weaken the country’s economic strength. If the company is from Israel, I will remain firm (not allowing operations in Malaysia). That is what I want to explain,” said the Prime Minister.
Anwar also said MAHB used to negotiate with GIP but the company was taken over by Blackrock.
Yesterday, Mohamad was quoted as saying that the decision was not made through the Cabinet, but UMNO still expects it to be reviewed.