Malaysia’s Sarawak Gets Its Own Airline in Autonomy Quest (1)

Malaysia’s Sarawak state acquired a sister company of national carrier Malaysia Airlines, its latest move to boost ownership of strategic assets as it pushes for greater autonomy.

Sarawak signed a sales and purchase agreement with Malaysia Airlines’ parent Malaysia Aviation Group on Wednesday to acquire MASwings, a carrier that largely serves states on Borneo island. The acquisition price was not disclosed.

Abang Johari Tun Openg

Photographer: Richard Humphries/Bloomberg

Malaysia Aviation Group is wholly owned by the country’s sovereign fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd. The deal would make Sarawak the first Malaysian state to own an airline.

Sarawak will rename the carrier to Air Borneo and ...