PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today has cautioned against excessive discussion of BlackRock's investments in the country, warning of potential harm to Malaysia's national interests.
In his address during the Prime Minister's Department's monthly assembly today, Anwar said the government's stance on the Gaza and Palestinian issue has always been clear and pronounced, compared to other countries.
"Historically, and compared to other countries, we are among the most clear and firm, when it comes to our stance on Gaza.
"Therefore, let's not demand excessively. We are a developing country, and we need to assess our capabilities.
"Let's not, out of the desire to show that we are great, jeopardise our national interests," he said.
Anwar added that every time he engages in foreign visits, he never forgets to openly state Malaysia's stance on the issue.
"When speaking in front of (United States President) Joe Biden and other statesmen, I upheld this principle.
"At the same time, I want to ensure the safety and well-being of our people."
Anwar, in his speech, also reiterated that BlackRock has been in the country since the 1990s.
Anwar said back in 2018, the then-prime minister had emphasised on the need for BlackRock to enter Malaysia more clearly and prominently.
"In 2021, the then-prime minister approved the proposal for the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) to hand over RM600 million of special funds for BlackRock to manage.
"When people say all that was before Oct 7, before the genocide, this understanding of politics is indeed very weak," he said, as the injustice of Israel towards Palestinians had been going on since 1948.
On the collaboration between Khazanah Nasional Bhd (Khazanah), and EPF with Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) on their interests in Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), Anwar said the cooperation between EPF and GIP had been in place since 2012.
"That's why Khazanah and EPF have been negotiating with GIP. Our airports have their advantages and strengths, but if we were to compare them with other airports, they have many weaknesses, especially in terms of engineering, technical expertise, and management.
"There are areas that need improvement because we are somewhat behind in planning, and various other aspects.
"When Khazanah and EPF made their decisions, I said to proceed," he said.
Sovereign wealth fund Khazanah last month announced that it was leading a consortium, known as the Gateway Development Alliance (GDA), in a conditional voluntary offer to buy all shares in MAHB that it did not own.
Besides GIP, through GIP Aureus Pte Ltd, the consortium's shareholders also included EPF, and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (Adia).
However, concerns arose after BlackRock, an American asset management company with pro-Israeli links, acquired GIP with the transaction expected to be completed in the third quarter of this year.
Last week, Anwar assured that the management of GIP would be fully controlled by the company, and not BlackRock.
During the prime minister's question time in 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 it invested in.
The current market value of BlackRock's investments in Malaysia amounted to RM27.5 billion, with RM20.5 billion in Bursa Malaysia, and RM7 billion in Malaysian government, and corporate bonds.