Perikatan Youth claims unwanted ‘connection’ in plans to privatise MAHB

PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional Youth is claiming plans to privatise Malaysia Airports Holding Bhd (MAHB) via a consortium that includes New York-based investment fund Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) involves links with Israel.

The movement’s chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden said GIP is owned by global fund manager BlackRock, which he claimed holds stakes in various arms companies supplying weapons to Israel.

“BlackRock (is linked to) companies supplying weapons that enable Israel to continue perpetrating genocide upon the Palestinian people.

“Any company that is pro-Israel should not be given space in Malaysia, especially strategic assets like the airport,” he said in a statement on Friday (May 17).

Afnan said Malaysia had been clear and firm in its stance never to normalise any form of relationship with Israel.

“Profits from (these) trade relations allow Israel to continue its madness on Palestinian soil,” he added.

Afnan also questioned why GIP was being allowed to acquire a stake in MAHB, claiming that the fund had failed to manage the other airports it owned.

“We demand an explanation, especially from the government,” he said.

“It is pointless to be loud on the international stage if we are doing something different (at home),” he added.

Attempts to contact MAHB on the matter are ongoing.

A consortium led by Khazanah Nasional Bhd and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) recently proposed to privatise MAHB at RM11 per share in a deal valued at over RM12bil.

Khazanah and EPF are teaming up with GIP and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (Adia) to form the consortium.

GIP, acquired by BlackRock earlier this year, is one of the world’s premier infrastructure investors and an experienced airport owner and manager.

According to several reports, BlackRock owns substantial shares in weapons companies such as Smith & Wesson Brands; Sturm, Ruger & Co; Ammo, Inc; and Vista Outdoors.