The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry has clarified that Malaysia Airlines (MAS) was not pressured or forced to purchase 30 Boeing aircraft as part of the US decision to reduce tariffs from 25% to 19%.
In a written parliamentary reply, the ministry said the airline’s fleet upgrade was driven purely by business considerations and long-term operational needs, not by any external coercion. “In fact, MAS had already ordered 25 Boeing 737 MAX jets back in 2016, well before recent tariff negotiations began,” the ministry noted.
The statement, uploaded to Parliament’s website on Tuesday, was in response to a query by Senator Datuk Seri Dr. Mujahid bin Yusof Rawa, who asked whether MAS was compelled to buy the 30 jets in exchange for a US tariff reduction.
The ministry explained that the additional 30 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft ordered in March form part of a phased fleet renewal strategy aimed at replacing planes with an average age of 14 years. “This is critical to maintaining safety standards, improving fuel efficiency, and enhancing market competitiveness amid fierce global aviation competition,” it said.
From a domestic economic perspective, the ministry highlighted that purchasing Boeing planes also strengthens Malaysia’s aerospace ecosystem. The country is part of Boeing’s global supply chain through its composite materials manufacturing plant in Kedah, which contributed RM25.1 billion to the national economy last year and created around 30,000 high-quality jobs.
Looking ahead, Boeing expects global passenger numbers to grow by 4.7% annually over the next 20 years. The ministry said investing in and purchasing civil aircraft allows Malaysia to benefit from the growth potential in tourism and aviation.
“In short, this was a business decision based on commercial and economic factors,” the ministry concluded.
