KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth has called on the government to immediately halt the sale of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) shares to BlackRock Inc via Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), citing solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Its chief, Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, said the sale of the 30 per cent stake is in stark contradiction to Malaysia's long standing support for the Palestinian cause and could expose national and public interest assets to parties sympathetic to the Zionist agenda.
"We want our solidarity to be not only at the international level but also demonstrated within our own country.
"Today, Umno Youth strongly asks for and seeks the government's attention to immediately halt the sale of these shares to the company owned by BlackRock," he said during a press conference after chairing the Umno Youth exco meeting at Menara Dato Onn today.
Previously, various parties, including the opposition, protested the sale of MAHB shares to GIP, a subsidiary of BlackRock, which is connected to a weapons manufacturer for Israel.
GIP stated today that BlackRock has never been involved in any transactions related to restructuring interests in MAHB through the Gateway Development Alliance (GDA).
At the same time, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reiterated his administration's firm stance on not allowing any Israeli companies to operate in the country. However, for foreign companies that have ties or collaborations with the Zionist state, Malaysia lacks the capability to cancel their presence as it could adversely affect the national economy.
Akmal acknowledged that cancelling the sale might impact the economy, but noted that the national economy had previously been affected during the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration, which cancelled the High-Speed Rail (HSR) project and implemented the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
"There are many other companies out there that MAHB can seek assistance from. I don't believe that without BlackRock, MAHB will go bankrupt because there are many other companies that can help MAHB," he said.
When asked whether he is urging cabinet ministers, especially those from Umno, to press for the cancellation of the share sale, he said all ministers and leaders, regardless of whether they are from the government or opposition, should be united on this matter.
"During the Supreme Council meeting, some expressed their views and urged for action. We need to send a clear message that we do not support and cannot accept this at all," he said.
Additionally, Akmal said that the movement is asking the government to implement targeted subsidies gradually. He noted that the recent sudden removal of diesel bulk subsidies has caused a sharp increase in the prices of goods.
"If implemented gradually, it will reduce the economic impact on the people.
"The government should promptly address this issue by expanding and simplifying the provision of subsidies to targeted groups so that the process is not too complex, bureaucratic, and that those in need can receive aid quickly," he said.