Khazanah has right to appoint Mueller

Khazanah Nasional Bhd has the right to appoint Christoph R. Mueller as CEO-designate to lead the restructured Malaysia Airlines (MAS) as it is injecting the RM6 billion investment to revive the national carrier, says Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar.

The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department said the 12-point MAS Recovery Plan outlined by the government's investment holding arm, the carrier's major investor, clearly indicates the need for talents with the necessary skills to help turn MAS profitable.

"We leave it to Khazanah to pick the best talent that they think will be able to spearhead the turnaround of MAS.

"After all, in terms of accountability, the responsibility to make this a success has been given to Khazanah," he told reporters after the launch of the Celcom 1Malaysia Training Scheme here.

Khazanah on Friday named Mueller as the CEO-designate of the new company MAS (MAS NewCo) as well as a Non-Executive Director of the MAS Board of Directors, effective Jan 1, 2015.

The announcement has not gone well with some parties who expressed their disappointment with Khazanah's decision.

Abdul Wahid said Khazanah should be given the flexibility to select the candidate who can make its restructuring plan work for them, including the management.

Mueller is currently the CEO of Aer Lingus Plc, the national airline of Ireland. His contract as CEO with Aer Lingus ends on May 1 next year.

Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly, the CEO and Director of Celcom Axiata Bhd, will also be nominated to the MAS Board as a Non-Executive Director, effective Jan 1 next year.