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Malaysia analyses flag carrier's role as an economic contributor to the country
November 22nd 2019
Airline’s contribution is more than financial accounts says government owner. Read More »
Malaysia Airlines’s (MAS) owner, sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional, has elaborated on the government’s thinking about the country’s loss-making flag carrier.
Khazanah managing director, Shahril Ridza Ridzuan, said the airline had to be viewed for its broad economic impact and not just financial accounts. "What is your opportunity cost for supporting Malaysia Airlines? To be fair, every ringgit put into Malaysia Airlines may not be seen in profit and loss,” Shahril said.
“The perspective does not include the possibility that local or foreign airlines would backfill any footprint MAS vacates, meaning the country would comparably benefit without ongoing support for MAS. That also would free up government funds for other initiatives. That is a ringgit you could have invested in something else,” Shahril said.
