INVESTMENT bank Morgan Stanley has been engaged by Khazanah Nasional Bhd to “explore strategic options” for Malaysia Airlines, reports Bloomberg.

Sources told the business news website that the bank will asses several options, include the potential sale of stakes in MAS.

Morgan Stanley has until the end of the year, when Khazanah aims to finalise a deal to revive the loss-making national airline.

Khazanah is the sole shareholder in MAS, which has been in financial turmoil since the twin tragedies involving missing flight MH370 and the downing of MH17 over Ukraine.

Bloomberg said attempts to get comments from the flag carrier and Morgan Stanley have been unsuccessful.

Talk of selling MAS cropped up recently, and Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said the government is studying four takeover proposals involving local investors.

He said the airline will keep its Malaysian identity and “Malaysia” in its name. – July 23, 2019.