Khalid Ibrahim seen as the best candidate to helm MAS - Analyst

Selangor Menteri Besar, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim is seen as the best candidate to helm Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and bring it back to its glory days, opined University of Malaya (UM) political analyst, Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub in an article published in The Malaysian Insider.

He said, the appointment could bring the airline back to profitability based on Abdul Khalid’s experience and track record.

Mohamad Tawfik said, among Abdul Khalid’s success throughout his tenure as menteri besar is 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.

The restructuring plan will also see a downsizing of its current 20,000 employees to approximately 14,000, a reduction of 30 percent.

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.

Ahmad Jauhari’s three-year contract with the airline is set to expire next month, but he will continue to lead the existing MAS entity until July 1, 2015 to provide for a smooth transition of power from the old MAS or old company (OldCo) to the NewCo.