Aircel-Maxis case: are the Malaysian authorities refusing to cooperate? (2)

Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad announced today:

"Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad (“AMH”) refers to the media statement issued by Astro All Asia Networks Limited ("AAANL") that the Central Bureau of Investigation, India (“CBI”) has on 29 August 2014 filed a charge-sheet in relation to, among other things, AAANL's acquisition of shares in Sun Direct TV Private Limited in 2007. The media statement states that AAANL has learnt from media reports in India that the charge-sheet names AAANL, Mr. T. Ananda Krishnan and Mr. Augustus Ralph Marshall, amongst others.

Mr. T. Ananda Krishnan has a deemed substantial indirect interest in both AMH and AAANL while Mr. Augustus Ralph Marshall is a non-executive director of AMH as well as a director of AAANL.

We wish to clarify that AAANL is a separate and distinct legal entity and is not a member of the AMH Group of Companies.

This charge does not implicate, nor impact AMH, the entity listed on Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad."


Maxis Berhad announced today:

"Maxis Berhad refers to the announcement made on 10 October 2011.

Maxis Berhad refers to the press release issued by Maxis Communications Berhad (MCB) today pertaining to media reports that the Central Bureau of Investigation, India has on 29 August 2014 filed a charge-sheet in relation to, among other things, MCB’S acquisition of Aircel Limited from Siva Ventures Limited in 2006. The charge-sheet names, amongst others, MCB, Mr. Augustus Ralph Marshall (a non-executive director of Maxis Berhad and MCB)  and Mr. T. Ananda Krishnan (who has a deemed substantial indirect interest in both Maxis and MCB).
    
This development does not implicate and will not have any impact on Maxis Berhad, the entity listed on Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad."


That is of course good news for the current shareholders of Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad and Maxis Berhad.

But the case is still highly relevant for Astro All Asia Networks Limited  and Maxis Communications Berhad, both their Board of Directors and their shareholders, during the above mentioned acquisitions in 2006 and 2007. And thus also for the Malaysian authorities.

Interestingly, both companies were subsequent to the alleged events delisted, Maxis Communications Berhad in July 2007, Astro All Asia Networks Limited  in June 2010.

And both were relisted again, but under a different name and in a different corporate structure: Maxis Berhad in November 2009 and Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad in September 2012.

And both in such a way that "this charge does not implicate, nor impact" them, according to the above two announcements.

Was that one of the reasons behind the delisting and subsequent relisting (in a different structure) of both companies?

More information at The Malay Mail:

"Maxis denies wrongdoing in Indian telco scandal, scrambles for investment treaty shields"