KOTA BARU: Pas still insists that the government needs to cancel the sale of shares to American asset management company BlackRock through its subsidiary, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP).
Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said this is because BlackRock has been criticised worldwide for its direct involvement in financing weapons used by Israel to kill Muslims in Gaza.
Tuan Ibrahim also expressed his belief that PKR vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad did not understand the issue when he challenged Perikatan Nasional (PN) to close down all factories owned by BlackRock Inc in Kedah and Kelantan.
"I don't think he (Nik Nazmi) understands the issue that many parties are arguing about.
"BlackRock investments in Kelantan, Johor, or any state were made through open shares on all stock markets.
"Maybe their ownership is only two to three per cent in various companies, and the ownership of these shares does not involve the country's strategic sectors such as airports, telecommunications, and others.
"What is being questioned by the people is why they need to offer up to 25 per cent of shares to BlackRock for strategic matters involving national security, and it seems that he (Nik Nazmi) is not sensitive to the plight of Muslims in Gaza," said Tuan Ibrahim.
The Kubang Kerian member of parliament said many companies in the country are able to buy the shares because Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) is a profitable company and all investors are interested in buying them.
Yesterday, Nik Nazmi challenged PN to close down all factories owned by BlackRock Inc in Kedah and Kelantan.
Nik Nazmi issued this challenge in response to a PN leader's call for the federal government to end any dealings with BlackRock.
According to Nik Nazmi, BlackRock is not only one of the biggest investors in the Malaysian stock market but also operates many factories in Kedah and Kelantan.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has assured that the management of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) will be fully controlled by the company and not by BlackRock, which is known to have pro-Israeli links.
During the prime minister's question time in the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar said despite BlackRock acquiring GIP, the management of GIP will retain full control and responsibility over the strategic direction of the company and the companies invested in.
Anwar added that BlackRock is currently the world's largest asset manager and has long invested in Malaysia, with investments worth RM24.7 billion and RM7.9 billion in Malaysian government and corporate bonds.
In a subtle jab towards the opposition, the prime minister also said that BlackRock's involvement in Malaysia was nothing new and had started in 2021.
Following Anwar's remarks, Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal called for the BlackRock issue to be debated in the Dewan Rakyat.
Speaking at a press conference, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal voiced dissatisfaction with Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul's decision to reject his emergency motion for a debate on the matter.
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal said he wanted a debate as he was not satisfied with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's explanation on the issue in parliament today.