Photo by Sam Fong/The Edge

KUALA LUMPUR (July 3): Malaysia has never prevented any company from investing in the country, but remains firm in its stance not to allow Israeli-owned companies to conduct their activities here, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said.

In fact, the firm stance of the Madani government under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on this matter was evident when ZIM, an Israeli-owned shipping company, was blocked from docking in Malaysian waters since December last year.

“While we do not prevent any company from investing in our country, this does not apply to Israeli-owned companies,” he said during a special chamber session in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday, pertaining to the sale of shares in Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd or MAHB (KL:AIRPORT) to Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP).

Amir Hamzah said the Madani government also remains steadfast in its stance to defend the rights and support the struggle of the Palestinian people, with various institutions in the country playing an active role in showing solidarity and contributing to the victims of Zionist atrocities.

He said that on the global stage, the prime minister and the Cabinet had also been relentless in speaking up and urging world leaders, including major powers, to immediately stop the Israeli regime's atrocities against Palestine.

Amir Hamzah said that Malaysia had also voiced its firm support at the United Nations General Assembly for Palestine to gain full membership in the international body.

“We also fully support the ceasefire resolution and consistently provide humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip,” he said.

On June 25, Anwar, who is also the finance minister, told the Dewan Rakyat that the sale of shares in MAHB to GIP is subject to strict conditions.

GIP is a leading infrastructure investor managing assets worth US$112 billion (RM528.61 billion) on behalf of its investors, which include approximately 500 investment institutions worldwide.

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