The government's decision to support the proposal from Syed Mokhtar Al Bukhary for the strategic 15.8 percent stake in DRB-Hicom Bhd is final, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi declared today.

"We made a decision (on the matter)," Abdullah was quoted by Bernama as saying.

"And as long as we don't announce a decision, it is not final...now that we have announced (it), the decision is final," he said when asked to comment on newspaper reports which claimed that the government had reversed its earlier decision on the choice of the bidder.

The reports had claimed that the government had earlier decided on the bid submitted by the consortium led by Nasimuddin SM Amin.

The premier yesterday said he supported Syed Mokhtar to acquire a 15.8 percent stake in DRB-Hicom Bhd, a local auto and banking group.

Higher bid

Two bidders - Syed Mokhtar and another a consortium led by automobile tycoon Nasimuddin Amin and deputy prime minister Najib Abdul Razak's brother, Nizam - were involved in a bitter battle for the stake.

Both sides had proclaimed victory to the media previously.

Syed Mokhtar placed a slightly higher bid of RM3.60 per share compared with RM3.50 by Nasimuddin who heads the Naza Group.

Naza assembles and distributes vehicles under South Korea's Kia and Naza brands.