Those in the know have spoken highly of Shukrie’s performance during his 20 months in charge, but their real concern is what could happen in his absence.
“I don’t know if whoever replaces him would fight to keep Subang airport,” said one insider who declined to be named.
The source was referring to a proposal from WCT Holdings Bhd, which through its subsidiary Subang SkyPark, was reportedly seeking to acquire and operate the airport until 2092.
WCT has said the proposal submitted to the government was for a renewed concession and not a plan to acquire the airport, officially known as Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport.
Transport experts and politicians including Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki have opposed the proposal.
However, a key MAHB stakeholder is reportedly seeking to have Shukrie replaced, despite him receiving the board’s backing, with the former head of a major media organisation said to be the frontrunner to take over.
Serious consequences
The source said Shukrie’s stand on the Subang airport issue would be one of his legacies should he be replaced.
“That plan has wide ranging implications, not just to MAHB or its stakeholders which include government bodies like Khazanah Nasional, EPF, Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), and Retirement Fund Inc (KWAP), but our air connectivity network.”
The source explained that Subang airport is among the eight airports under MAHB’s network of 39 airports that were profitable pre-pandemic.
It is understood that during the pandemic, Subang airport was the only one that remained profitable.
“Profits from the eight airports are used to fund the operations of the other 31 airports nationwide ensuring air connectivity throughout the country. Without the Subang airport, this cross-subsidisation model would be affected.”
Meanwhile, a separate source told FMT that while the government has said that any proposal on the redevelopment of Subang airport will first be referred to MAHB, this did not mean WCT’s proposal was dead.
“Mohd Shukrie has been firm in protecting the airport. He’s a no nonsense leader who is very focused on results and protecting the welfare of staff.”