While addressing reporters at Malaysia’s Parliament, Malaysia Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has stated the government is considering options to sell, shut, or refinance the national carrier based on advise from aviation analysts assessment of the airline's current situation.

“It is a very serious matter to shut down the airline,” Mahathir told a news conference at parliament. He added: “We will nevertheless be studying and investigating as to whether we should shut it down or we should sell it off or we should refinance it. All these things are open for the government to decide.”

The statements overshadowed the airline’s recent award for being the Best Airline In Asia the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) International Travel Awards at ITB Berlin, as the airline has sought to turn itself around following a string of accidents in 2014 and being taken over by private wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd.

According to PM Mahathir, the decision could be made “soon” as the government is studying all options as for the future of Malaysia’s national airline.

Khazanah Nasional has stated it is waiting for the airline to present its review of its business strategy, adding that the Malaysian government will have to decide on its investment and the level of support it will put into the company.

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