KUALA LUMPUR: The government has never defended any party that collaborates with the Israeli Zionist regime, political secretary to the finance minister Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim said.

In a statement on Friday (June 22), he addressed comments made by former minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who alleged that BlackRock, a firm purportedly linked to Israel, was planning to take up stakes in Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB).

"The stance of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the government on the issue of Israeli violence against the Palestinian people is clear. We are among the most vocal in defending and advocating for the rights of the Palestinians. Labelling the prime minister as an accomplice of Israel’s genocidal crimes is extreme and disrespectful," said Kamil.

Kamil acknowledged Khairy's freedom to criticise but urged him to be more responsible and avoid making emotionally charged statements. He added that Khazanah Nasional Berhad had clarified that negotiations regarding MAHB were conducted with Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a consortium that announced an offer to take over MAHB on May 15.

"BlackRock only emerged this year with the intention to acquire GIP's shareholding. In this context, neither Khazanah nor EPF (Employees Provident Fund) has ever negotiated with any representative from BlackRock.

"Khazanah and EPF have not sold MAHB to any foreign entity. Instead, they have increased their shareholding to 70 percent. This strategic asset will continue to be owned by the country through a golden share by the government," he said.

GIP is a leading infrastructure investor managing US$112bil (RM527.8bil) worth of assets on behalf of its investors, which include about 500 investment institutions worldwide. Furthermore, GIP possesses expertise in investing, managing, and operating some of the largest and most complex infrastructure businesses globally, including several airports.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/06/22/govt-never-defended-parties-collaborating-with-israel-says-minister039s-aide