<figure id="attachment_2815603" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2815603" style="width: 1600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-2815603" src="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/25eb16f7-11_abang_johari_openg_moganraj_fmt_17072024-copy-8.webp" alt="abang johari openg" width="1600" height="1000" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2815603" class="wp-caption-text">Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg said Sarawak is always ready to negotiate with any entity that wants to collaborate with the state government.</figcaption></figure>
PETALING JAYA: Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg has dismissed as mere speculation a report that the state seeks to acquire a stake in AmBank Group and merge the bank with Affin Bank Bhd.
According to a Bernama report, he also denied Sarawak had sent a representative to discuss the matter with AmBank Group.
“I was also surprised when I read the report. The report is just speculation.
“I have no comment because I don&#8217;t know about that,” he said at an event organised by the Regional Corridor Development Authority in Kuching, Sarawak.
Abang Johari, however, said Sarawak is always ready to negotiate with any entity that wants to collaborate with the state government.
It was reported yesterday that the Sarawak government, which is already the largest shareholder of Affin Bank, is believed to be eyeing a stake in AmBank with a view to merging the two lenders.
Citing sources, The Edge said the Sarawak government had already approached AmBank Group founder Azman Hashim.
Azman holds an 11.83% stake &#8211; valued at RM2.07 billion &#8211; in AMMB Holdings Bhd, which comprises AmBank, AmInvestment Bank Bhd and AmBank Islamic Bhd.

MatchPoint Times

Claims Sarawak seeks stake in AmBank mere speculation, says Abang Jo

The premier says the state has not sent a representative to discuss the matter with the bank.

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