KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia Bhd
has approved Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd’s request for a trading suspension pending a material announcement.
In a filing to Bursa Malaysia, the airports operator stated the request for suspension in the trading of all the company's securities, effective from 9 am to 5 pm on Wednesday.
MAHB shares were last traded at RM10.40 per share.
For context, the privatisation of MAHB, one of the world's largest airport operators, has recently resurfaced, with reports suggesting that MAHB could be privatised by its major owners before a stake sale to the private equity firm Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP).
Khazanah Nasional Bhd and Employees Provident Fund (EPF) hold 33.2 per cent and 7.0 per cent of MAHB, respectively.
A news report indicated that a 30 per cent share in MAHB would then be sold to GIP, an infrastructure investment vehicle that invests in equities and selected debt.
There has also been a news report that the current acting group chief executive officer (CEO), Mohamed Rastam Shahrom, is to be appointed as the permanent CEO after seven months of serving in the acting role.
Mohamed Rastam was appointed as MAHB's acting group CEO on October 25 last year, after Datuk Seri Iskandar Mizal Mahmood stepped down from his role as managing director at the end of his two-year contract a day prior.
Last month, a report emerged regarding MMC Corp selling its holdings in MMC Ports to GIP; however, the proposal was withdrawn after GIP backed out of its bid due to the parties failing to reach an agreement on a price for the stake.
The Ministry of Transport (MOT) commented on the issue, stating that the ministry has no objections if MMC Corp Bhd plans to divest its 49 per cent stake in MMC Ports Holdings Bhd, even to foreign entities.
However, its minister, Anthony Loke emphasised that issues concerning concessions and the ownership status of the nation's key asset need to be scrutinised.
He further added that the decision to sell equity interest is a corporate matter and lies within the company’s purview.
Presently, MAHB manages 39 airports throughout Malaysia, including five international airports, 17 domestic airports and 17 STOLports (Short Take-Off and Landing).
Additionally, it owns and manages one international airport in Istanbul, Turkiye.
In its recently released Annual Report, MAHB outlined several strategic measures, including the formulation of a three-year strategic plan spanning 2024 to 2026, centred on the overarching theme of ‘reimagining the passenger experience’.
The strategic plan outlines the group’s focus on elevating the passenger experience and enhancing flight connectivity across its airport network while delivering unparalleled convenience, choice and comfort by rejuvenating commercial and retail offerings.
It also addresses accelerating the group’s off-terminal development business, the expansion of Penang International Airport, strengthening its international business primarily at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, its commitment to building a sustainable business, and the group’s focus on execution. - Bernama
