KUALA LUMPUR: An emergency motion by Machang member of Parliament Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal urging an immediate debate on the government's decision to sell Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) shares to a company related to BlackRock was rejected by the Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.

"My emergency motion to debate the suspension or cancellation of the sale of MAHB shares to a pro-Zionist company has been rejected by the speaker.

"I will continue to negotiate and push in Parliament so that this matter can be discussed, ensuring that all citizens know what has actually happened and will happen concerning our country's 39 strategic airports," he said in a post on Facebook.

On June 21, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal submitted his urgent motion under Standing Orders 18(1) and 18(2).

Wan Fayhsal said that a similar motion had been sent earlier this month under Standing Orders 27(1) and 27(3) as a private member's motion to be included in the Order of Business (non-government affairs) for consideration to be debated.

Previously, various parties, including the opposition, protested the sale of MAHB shares to Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a subsidiary of BlackRock, which is connected to a weapons manufacturer for Israel.

GIP said BlackRock had never been involved in any transactions related to restructuring interests in MAHB through the Gateway Development Alliance (GDA).

At the same time, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reiterated his administration's firm stance on not allowing any Israeli companies to operate in the country.

However, for foreign companies that have ties or collaborations with the Zionist state, Malaysia lacks the capability to cancel their presence as it could adversely affect the national economy.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/06/1067716/emergency-motion-debate-mahbs-share-sale-rejected