Malaysia Airports: Upgrades & Connectivity Focus for 2026 | Nikkei Asia

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) will focus on improving existing airport infrastructure and expanding airline connectivity throughout 2026, according to Datuk Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir, managing director of Khazanah Nasional Berhad, the Malaysian government’s sovereign wealth fund.

Amirul Feisal outlined the priorities during Khazanah’s Annual Review 2026 media briefing on Tuesday, stating that significant work remains to be done in both airport and airline sectors. The fund completed the privatization of MAHB and is now focused on transformation efforts to bolster Malaysia’s global connectivity and competitiveness.

Passenger movements have already shown positive trends, increasing 11.2 percent year-on-year to 104.4 million, supported by the addition of 15 new airlines operating in Malaysia, Amirul Feisal noted. The strategy centers on enhancing current assets and expanding the network, particularly in the context of a changing geopolitical landscape where nations are increasingly focused on investment policies.

Khazanah Nasional also plans to increase investment in the energy transition sector, prioritizing grid resilience, renewable energy initiatives, and research and development, including projects undertaken by Tenaga Nasional Bhd. Amirul Feisal indicated potential for collaboration with other entities to further advance these efforts.

Established in 1993, Khazanah Nasional Berhad manages a total asset value of MYR 93.92 billion as of 2023, with total equity reaching MYR 42.74 billion. The fund reported revenue of MYR 7.81 billion in 2023 and a net income of MYR 4.95 billion. It is owned by the Malaysian Ministry of Finance and has regional offices in the United States, Turkey, China, the United Kingdom, and India.

The sovereign wealth fund’s connectivity pillar within the broader Malaysia investment strategy is intended to deliver sustainable economic and societal benefit for the nation, according to Khazanah. The fund’s key investment areas include Leisure & Tourism, Banking, Sustainable Development, Healthcare and Consumerism.