KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19- Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad Sunday suggested that Malaysia Airlines (MAS) be privatised in an effort to revitalise the government-linked company, and consequently, overcome its losses at present.
The former Prime Minister said privatisation is a good step for MAS to generate big profits as when a company is government-owned, it faces constraints from the point of finance.
“MAS has been in operation for a long time and many initiatives have been undertaken to turn it around, but unsuccessfully.
“I believe privatisation is a good thing, as when the company is government owned, it has also less rights,” he told reporters at his Hari Raya open house in Seri Kembangan, near here.
The event was attended by about 20,000 visitors of various races as well as foreigners.
Also present was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor. Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was there with his wife, Puan Sri Noorainee Abd Rahman.
Dr Mahathir, who is also Proton advisor, said based on experience with the national car maker, privatisation will make the owners more sensitive as to the issue of profit and loss, as they are footing all expenditure.
“Through privatisation, when you lose money, the people who own it, have to pay out. But if it’s government money, nobody cares. I know this because I have run the government company before,” he added.
– BERNAMA
