MAHB managing director Datuk Iskandar Mizal Mahmood assumed his new post today.
By ZAIDI ISHAM ISMAIL
editor@dagangnews.com
MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) owns and manages the country's 39 airports and runways. But many people do not know that MAHB also owns huge tracts of palm oil estates and property.
Industry observers said this is exactly what returning MAHB managing director Datuk Iskandar Mizal Mahmood will do when he starts work today - to take a second look at MAHB's business division.
UniKL lecturer Professor Abu Haniffah Abdullah said MAHB has been severely impacted by the pandemic.
"Thus Iskandar will find new ways on how to generate income for the company,.
''He might sell the oil palm estates to earn income," Abu Hanifah told Dagangnews.com.
Industry observers said Iskandar would likely take a second look at MAHB's existing business portfolio such as its property and oil palm business.
"MAHB has tracts of land around airports which it owns.
"These lands measure a total of 400 acres or so, and can be converted commercially.
Iskandar who was previously Media Prima Bhd managing director returns as MAHB managing director to replace Datuk Shukrie Salleh.
READ HERE:
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Meanwhile a fund manager said MAHB need to generate new businesses as the aviation activities are almost at a standstill.
"MAHB depends on aircraft services and parking fee at terminals.
"And now, there are almost no aviation traffic at airports. As it is, almost all the shops at airports are closed with no passenger traffic,'' he said.
So Iskandar has to find new engines of growth.
Meanwhile, a fund manager from Permodalan Nasional Bhd said the sector might pick up over the next few nonths.
"With the vaccination efforts reaching 90%, reopening of borders and the travel bubble, Iskandar might just be at an opportune time to turn MAHB around.
Iskandar will make a good lasting impression able to turn around MAHB having been there before between 1999 and 2003 and was responsible for the company's listing on Bursa Malaysia. - DagangNews.com
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