KUALA LUMPUR – A coalition of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) workers’ unions is alleging that the government remains bent on selling Subang’s Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport to WCT Holdings, despite initial assurances that it would not.
Unions in the peninsula, Sarawak and, Sabah and Labuan – respectively named Kesma, Kepemab, Kepmas – said the alleged sale will happen “soon”.
Coalition spokesman Hussin Shahar said the sale proposal – prepared by the Finance and Transport Ministries – will be presented to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
In a virtual press conference today, Hussin called the development disappointing, insensitive and threatening.
“It is clear that the government, particularly the Transport and Finance Ministries, have turned a deaf ear and blind eye to MAHB’s previous suggestions. We will not keep quiet about this.
“We will continue to fight for the interests of those working at the airport. We will do a nationwide picket and organise strikes along with every workers’ union in the transportation industry,” he said.
Previously, MAHB chairman Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir had said Muhyiddin had been informed of the development plans of the airport through the Subang Airport Regeneration agenda – which does not involve the sale of the airport.
The airport is owned by MAHB and operated by Subang Skypark Sdn Bhd, which is owned by WCT Holdings.
“WCT Holdings is not a company owned by the people and the sale of the airport will only render its owner richer,” said Hussin, referring to WCT owner Tan Sri Desmond Lim.
It was reported that the sale of the airport will be part of WCT’s project to build an “airport city”.
It is estimated that MAHB stands to lose RM11.9 billion, based on an ongoing airport concession agreement that ends in 2069.
“Until today, the unions have yet to receive any direct feedback from Zambry.
“However, the unions understand that the chairman has been recently appointed as Barisan Nasional’s secretary-general, so he may be busy with his political career,” added Hussin. – The Vibes, June 21, 2021
