SHAH ALAM, 7 Sept: The Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, is the best candidate to helm Malaysia Airlines System (MAS) to restore the airline’s performance.

In an article by The Malaysian Insider, this was the view presented by a political analyst from the University of Malaya (UM), Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub.

He said that Abdul Khalid’s appointment is expected to bring the airline back to profitability as well as the image of Malaysia’s premier airline company based on his experience and track record.

Mohammad Tawfik also cited Abdul Khalid’s success as the Chief Minister and also the acquisition of Guthrie Bhd by Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), raising funds as much as RM3.2 billion, the Langat 2 water treatment plant agreement, the acquisition of several water concession companies by the state government and the 20 cubic meter water programme.

“His appointment as the first menteri besar after Pakatan Rakyat took over the state administration in Selangor in 2008 was based on his track record as a respected corporate figure in Malaysia.

“It’s no surprise that the most developed and richest state in this country is being managed by Abdul Khalid even when faced with challenges brought on by certain parties in Selangor,” he wrote in the article.

Mohammad Tawfil also feels that with Abdul Khalid helming MAS it will provide some sort of consolation for the people of Selangor and Malaysia as a whole, apart from proving that the federal government always puts the welfare of the people first.

MAS, under the 12-point plan unveiled by Khazanah Nasional Bhd will set up a new company in July 2015.

Khazanah is currently eyeing potential candidates from the global and local aviation industry to become its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to replace Ahmad Jauhari Yahya.

NS