Loke on MAHB's fierce selldown: What I said was leaked, it's beyond me

Prime Minister's communications and media advisor A Kadir Jasin took to social media to slam Transport Minister Anthony Loke for deliberately talking the market down.

The veteran newsman was referring a news report which reported that Loke told an investment forum about the government's intention to adopt the public-private partnership model for airport operation and developments moving forward.

Consequently, this may open up the possibility of a new player taking part in the airport operations apart from MAHB.

When met in Petaling Jaya today, Loke lamented what he told the forum in a closed-door event last Thursday had been leaked out.

"I have never said anything openly, but someone leaked what I said in a close-door (event)," he told media when asked about Kadir Jasin's criticism.

"I mean it is beyond me," he said.

The Edge had reported that Loke's remark had caused uncertainty for the Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) and led to a fierce selldown of MAHB's share that wiped out RM1.09 billion in market capitalisation.

He, however, read Kadir' remark positively and said he would meet the prime minister's advisor tomorrow.

"I thank Kadir Jasin for his comment. Well, I take it positively, and I will meet him tomorrow," he said.

Besides speaking on airport operations at the forum, Loke was said to have spoken of the possible restructuring of Malaysia's aviation regulators, Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom), but he declined to reveal the progress related to the matter.

Mavcom is an independent body set up to regulate economic and commercial matters relating to civil aviation.

He said the government will make an announcement once a decision is made. 

Meanwhile, Loke declined to comment on whether the government will dissolve Mavcom.

The Malaysian Reserve had reported in February about the Transport Ministry's plan to disband Mavcom as an effort to control expenditure.

The move would allow the ministry to regain control over the key decisions pertaining to the aviation industry.  - Mkini