KOTA KINABALU: The RM300 million loan application to AirAsia Berhad was made according to the rules, said former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
Thus, he welcomed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to conduct a probe into the matter.
The state ex Finance minister said he had nothing to hide over the deal as the loan application was approved after the bank did thorough investigations.
"AirAsia Berhad is a registered company in Bursa Malaysia; therefore, any transaction over RM300 million was definitely approved only after all conditions were met by the applicants.
"As an airline company chosen by the people of Malaysia, AirAsia has several development plans that will benefit Sabah abd it will target to create 100,000 jobs in the state," he said in a statement.
Among the development plans in the state capital include an agriculture storage which is in line with AirAsia's target to become the main agriculture and fisheries supplier through online sales.
Mohd Shafie said that the company had also planned to spend RM110 million to develop Kota Kinabalu International Airport as their international hub.
"All of their planning will definitely benefit Sabah which is rich in agriculture and fishery resources.
"When I was the Chief Minister, an Agriculture Action Plan 2021-2030 was launched to make Sabah a food producing state and to guarantee food security," he said, adding the mission was to ensure farmers were able to generate more money and expand the market at the international level with AirAsia as the medium of transportation for export.
In terms of tourism, Mohd Shafie said the state could return to its glory as a tourist destination again should Airasia upgrade the airport.