Azmin repeats Dr M's assertion that govt cannot afford to bail out MAS

Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said the generation of new growth sectors was one of the seven strategic thrusts in the shared prosperity economic model.

KUALA LUMPUR: Bailing out troubled local airliner Malaysian Airlines Berhad (MAS) is unlikely, because the government does not have the capacity to do so, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.

The Economics Affairs Minister said the government was currently considering its options before deciding on the fate of the national carrier, which had hit headlines recently after its losses caused a massive impairment into its sole shareholder Khazanah Nasional Bhd's account.

"But certainly, we want to see what's the best option available before us, because as mentioned by the Prime Minister, we have spent a huge amount of money over the last five years.

"Currently, we don't have the capacity to do so. But, these are the options that the (MAS) management will look into," he said.

Last Tuesday (March 13), Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government would conduct a study to decide on MAS' fate – whether it will be shut down, sold off, or refinanced.

On Wednesday (March 20), Dr Mahathir said that he still felt "love" for the national carrier.

"I love MAS. I want MAS to be a national airline. But it seems as though we can't afford it," he added.

Khazanah had accounted half of its RM7.3bil impairments registered in 2018 was to sustain MAS.

Khazanah recorded a pre-tax loss of RM6.3bil in 2018.