KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 — Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd (MAHB) needs a financially robust and experienced partner to transform the country’s airports, said National Council of Professors fellow Azmi Hassan.
He said based on this requirement, MAHB’s major shareholders Khazanah Nasional Bhd (Khazanah) and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) have offered their shares to potential investors.
“This offer was extended to numerous investment companies by EPF and Khazanah. However, only Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) accepted.
“Rejecting GIP would limit MAHB’s potential for improvement as we need its expertise and financial strength,” Azmi said on the “MAHB Ke Arah Lebih Gemilang” programme on Bernama TV on Wednesday.
Azmi emphasised the need for GIP’s involvement to prevent the Kuala Lumpur International Airport from lagging behind competitors in Singapore and Thailand, which benefit from substantial investment and strong financial backing.
He argued the partnership with GIP to transform Malaysia’s airports must not be politicised as the extensive improvements required need GIP’s expertise and financial resources.
On May 15, Gateway Development Alliance and its shareholders (the consortium) announced a voluntary pre-condition offer to acquire all MAHB shares not already owned by the consortium, at RM11 per share, totalling RM18.4 billion.
The consortium is led by EPF and Khazanah, through its wholly owned subsidiary UEM Group Bhd.
It also includes a wholly owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (Adia) and a fund managed by GIP, one of the world’s leading infrastructure investors with significant airport management experience.
Upon completion of the transaction, Khazanah and EPF will collectively hold a 70 per cent stake in MAHB, while Adia and GIP will own 30 per cent.
MAHB manages 39 airports in Malaysia, including five international airports, 17 domestic airports, 17 short takeoff and landing airports, and the Sabiha Gokçen Istanbul International Airport in Turkiye.
GIP has investments in Sydney Airport, London Gatwick Airport, Edinburgh Airport, Signature Aviation and, previously, London City Airport.
— Bernama
