Thursday, October 24, 2019

WHY PLUS should NOT be sold to third parties

So the government is waiting for a better offer before it decides to sell PLUS, the main operator of the North-South Highway. About 8 years ago, there was a MGO for PLUS and the company was delisted from BURSA MALAYSIA and now operates as a non-listed company so that the public does not see the Annual Accounts. Management fees are high for a basic infrastructure company.

I suggest this proposal that will be a win-win for all concerned. Both the government and taxpayers will benefit from such a scheme that will give back PLUS to the people.

How this is achieved will be selling Khazanah's stake back to the public for RM5bil to RM6bil. This will be done via a new IPO bundled with a 5% bond that expires with the toll agreement in 2038 or just over 18 years.

Suppose 2 million Malaysians subscribe in the IPO for RM1000, that will raise RM2bil.
If the loan stock option is taken-up at RM1500 each, that will raise another RM3bil.
If we want to raise RM6bil, the IPO will be RM1500.

So for RM2500, a taxpayer will be an owner in PLUS and enjoy the rewards. In fact many Malaysians owned PLUS until the government allowed Khazanah to kick out the minority shareholders.
All shareholders will be given a 10% discount on NSH tolls.

Therefore, I urge the government to sell PLUS back to the people.