We, the Malaysian NGOs listed below, note the recent appointment of Mr Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem to take over MMC Port Holdings, Malaysia’s largest port operator.
It is public knowledge that Mr bin Sulayem recently resigned from global logistics giant DP World due to uncovered links to convicted sex offender and suspected Israeli Mossad agent Jeffrey Epstein.
His appointment to lead MMC Ports is unacceptable for the following reasons:
Connection to Epstein files
The DP World ouster: In February 2026, Mr bin Sulayem was forced to resign with immediate effect from his decades-long roles as chairman and CEO of the Dubai-based DP World.
Email revelations: His resignation followed intense global scrutiny after the US Department of Justice released unredacted documents revealing thousands of email correspondences – some described as lewd – between bin Sulayem and Jeffrey Epstein over a span of 10 years.
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Financial fallout: Before he stepped down, major international financial entities – including Canada’s second-largest pension fund and the UK development finance agency – suspended new investments in DP World due to his sordid presence in the Epstein files.
Lack of transparency
Sudden ouster: Mr bin Sulayem assumed full operational control after the company’s Malaysian group CEO was suddenly replaced on 12 July.
No explanation given: The internal corporate memo did not provide any reason for the sudden departure of the Malaysian CEO, nor did it name a permanent replacement.
Security concerns
Control of critical infrastructure: MMC Ports operates seven major terminals strategically positioned along the Strait of Malacca, one of the world’s most critical oil transit bottlenecks and busiest shipping lanes.
Putting direct control of such vital national infrastructure into the hands of a foreign national shadowed by a major international scandal and previously linked to a suspected Mossad agent is not in the long-term interest of the country.
It is fair to say that Mr bin Sulayem has earned considerable notoriety from the disclosure of the Epstein files. If he was not deemed indispensable to DP World, there is hardly any reason why he should be considered indispensable to MMC Ports.
Based on the facts and reasons stated above, we strongly urge you, Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar AlBukhary, as the controlling shareholder of MMC Corporation, to reverse the decision allowing Mr bin Sulayem to take over MMC Port Holdings.
Issued by:
- BDS Malaysia
- Sekretariat Solidariti Palestin
- Pertubuhan Kadazan Dusun Murut Muslim SeMalaysia (KDMRS Muslim)
- Citizens International
- Centhra Malaysia
- Mahabbah Malaysia
- Pertubuhan Mawaddah Malaysia
- Mandiri
- Gegar
- Haluan
- MWCQP
- Pertubuhan Intelektual Perlis
- Pertubuhan Agenda Wanita Malaysia (Agenda)
- Macsa
- Dunia Palestin Network
- MyCare
- Malaysian Protest 4 Palestine (MP4P)
- Palestine Solidarity, Penang (PSP)
- Viva Palestina Malaysia
- Ban War Criminals
- Accin
- Aliran
- Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia
- Persatuan Mantan Profesor UM (PMPUM)
- Pergerakan Tenaga Akademik Malaysia (Gerak)
- Pertubuhan Intelektual Perlis (PiP)
- Gerakan Solidariti Pembebasan Palestin (GSPP)
- Yayasan Amal Malaysia
- Palestine Centre of Excellence (Pace)
- Majlis Perundingan Pertubuhan Islam Malaysia (Mapim)
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