An important position like the chief executive officer of flag carrier Malaysia Airlines (MAS) should not be given to a foreigner, said BN’s Kepala Batas MP Reezal Naina Merican.

The Umno supreme council leader said that local talents should be prioritized for such a post, instead of handing it to German corporate figure Christoph R Mueller.

“Local expertise and resources must be prioritised at all times,” he said.

Reezal (left) said that the aviation industry is a strategic industry for the country and the appointment of its top officers cannot be taken lightly.

“Even if Mueller might be the top expert in the industry, he should be given the position of consultant, not chief executive,” he said.

He also questioned if Mueller, who will report for duty on Jan 1, 2015, will understand the impact of his decisions on Malaysia, particularly on the bumiputera and national agenda.

“Or will his decisions be merely based on profit and loss?” he asked.

Not narrow nationalism

He said that his views are not motivated by narrow nationalism but by MAS’ “true needs and its future”.

“MAS is no ordinary company; it is a responsiblityy and a signal to show that we are able to make good economic choices,” he said.

Reezal is not the only one who is unhappy with the decision to hire a foreigner for the job.

Commenting on this, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad snidely said: “Malaysians are stupid. They don’t know how to manage an aviation company.”