Story of MAS shares

Malaysiakini - Report on ex-MAS' boss clip: You don't say no to the PM:

The 'PM' mentioned in headlines above refers to former PM Mahathir Mohamad.

So let it be written, so let it be done

... a video clip of former MAS executive chairperson Tajuddin Ramli is making the round on social media.

In the clip, the report said Tajuddin alleged that Dr Mahathir Mohamad's administration had coaxed him to purchase the national carrier at a higher than market rate price.

He claimed that the person who asked him to do so was the then finance minister, Daim Zainuddin, who is now campaigning for the Mahathir-led Pakatan Harapan.

Tajuddin said he was prepared to pay RM5 per unit or approximately RM1 billion for 224 million MAS shares despite the market rate of RM3 per unit at the time, or about RM600 million.

“So I was losing, paying more of RM400 million. The RM400 million if the government wanted to take a loan from overseas at the time, to get RM400 million, 'bercalar kasut' (soles of the shoes will be worn out by the amount of walking done to obtain such a fund).

“Here, I am giving RM400 million, 'sell to me at RM5'.

“After that, nothing for one whole day, next day, Daim says 'No', RM8 (per unit)...After he said RM8, I kept quiet, I said I cannot buy (at that rate).

“Then it came out, 'You don't say no to the prime minister',” he was quoted as saying in the clip.

According to Utusan Online, this is not the first time Tajuddin has made the allegation but Mahathir had denied this in his autobiography, A Doctor in the House.

Malaysiakini had also received a clip, purportedly of Tajuddin talking about Mahathir, as well as his sons.

Though it is unclear when and where the 8.31-minute clip was recorded, the remarks indicate that it must have been recent, since there was a reference to Mahathir contesting in Langkawi.

“I had admired him at the time... but looking at what he has done...wants to save Malaysia, we should be saving Malaysia from Mahathir...

“From the start...when he entered Umno, in 1969, he lost (in the election) and he never forgave Umno...he lost in 1969 on an Umno ticket, so why should Umno be alive...so before he dies, he must make sure, Umno is dead before him...” he added.