PUTRAJAYA — The government does not interfere in management appointments at companies operating ports, including those involving foreign nationals, as long as Malaysians retain majority ownership, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said.

He said government policy requires companies holding concessions or strategic national assets such as ports to be at least 51 per cent Malaysian-owned.

“As far as the government is concerned, we regulate only in terms of shareholding involving companies operating concessions and strategic national assets, including ports.

“The majority ownership must remain with Malaysians at 51 per cent. This is our policy,” he said at a press conference on amendments to the Road Transport Department (JPJ) Act to establish compensation provisions for accident victims and strengthen the road offence demerit points system here today.

Loke was responding to questions on international media reports regarding the appointment of former DP World chairman and chief executive officer Sultan Ahmed Sulayem as executive chairman of MMC Ports Holdings Bhd.

He said management appointments are internal corporate matters and do not require government approval.

“In fact, there are ports in the country led by foreign national chief executive officers, such as the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP). In terms of management, the government does not meddle and does not interfere,” he said.