Khazanah managing director Shahril Ridza Ridzuan said the different business models and work cultures of the two entities would make a merger an unlikely option.

“Malaysia requires both low-cost operators as well as a higher-value operator like Malaysia Airlines to co-exist, because you need to address multiple segments of the market.

“So, I think for the long-term strategy of Malaysia, (it is) important to provide enough choice, not only for Malaysians to fly, but for international travellers to come to the country,” he said on TV3’s Money Matters programme yesterday.

Khazanah Nasional fully owns MAB.

Shahril had reportedly said earlier that the sovereign wealth fund was waiting for the Malaysia Airlines management to come up with a recovery plan.