The Malaysia Airports Workers Union (Kesma) is prepared to go on a nationwide strike to protest against a proposed takeover of the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (LTSAAS) in Subang.
In a joint press conference, Kesma and the Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan wings of the MAHB workers’ union expressed their strong protest against the “takeover”, saying it would be an “insensitive” move on the part of the transport and finance ministries.
Kesma chairman Hussin Shahar said any change in government policy must be debated and tabled for public knowledge, and consultations must also involve airport workers as key stakeholders.
It was recently reported that WCT Holdings Bhd, through its subsidiary Subang Skypark Sdn Bhd, wanted to acquire and operate the Subang airport until 2092.
However, key stakeholders have been criticising the proposal, warning of losses of up to RM11.9 billion.
The airport is one of 39 under Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB).
MAHB chairman Zambry Abdul Kadir had said the airport was a strategic asset owned by the government with historical significance.
“We hope the government will study any proposal on its plan to liquidate its ownership of Subang airport to any private entities,” he had said in a statement.
Husin reiterated today that there was already a plan under MAHB to upgrade the Subang airport, called the “Subang Airport Regeneration” master plan.
The union also emphasised that the airport is a national asset and a heritage site that should be owned by the citizens, not private tycoons.
He added that any takeover, if successful, would open avenues for other MAHB business partners to act for their own interests.
“National security will also be threatened, considering that security personnel at LTSAAS Subang would come from the private sector.”
Husin also warned that existing LTSAAS workers, who are mostly bumiputeras, would be affected, with a possibility of them getting terminated.
Workers under the new management may also be denied their rights to unionise or have a collective agreement, he added.
WCT previously said the reported plan to carve out the airport was a proposed renewed concession and not a plan to acquire the airport as reported.
It said it would operate the airport under a lease with the government continuing to own the land and the airport.
It added that the proposal was only at the concept paper stage, which Subang Skypark submitted to the government on March 1.
Meanwhile, Mohd Shukrie Mohd Salleh, group chief executive officer (CEO) of MAHB, said Malaysia Airports has already submitted the comprehensive strategic plan for the long-term development of the Subang airport to the government.
“The plan is premised on three focus areas, namely aerospace ecosystem, business aviation and urban community airport,” he said in a statement.
Shukrie added that the “Regeneration Plan” will grow the ecosystem further by three times, doubling the number of global and local aviation operators to more than 100 (currently there are over 35 operators) that will create and support a high-skilled workforce of 19,000 workers.
He also stated that Malaysia Airports has sufficient internal cash reserves to execute the project.
“The plan requires infrastructure investment of RM300 million staggered over the next five years. This is well within our capability as we still have a strong cash and money market position of RM1.6 billion with RM914.0 million available for the Malaysian operations.”
