KUALA LUMPUR: The shareholders of Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd are in talks with some parties to dispose of 30% stake in the bank, said chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Manap Abdul Wahab. 
He did not name the parties nor confirm if Kuwait Finance House (M) Bhd was one of the suitors. 
“The divestment must happen and it can be to any party. We are on the lookout for a suitable partner and are talking to some parties. We should be making an announcement on the disposal later in the year,” he told a press conference on Friday. 
Asked to comment on a StarBiz report quoting sources that KFH had been approached to take up a substantial stake in Bank Muamalat, Abdul Manap said: “This is the first time I am reading about it. We (the bank) are not in talks as it is a shareholders' issue. However, they would consult me and I have been in touch with the shareholders. 
“KFH said it is looking at RHB (Rashid Hussain Bhd) and if they are talking to (our) shareholders, I am not aware of it,” he said. 
“Bukhary Capital Bhd holds 70% stake in Bank Muamalat and has until this year to dispose of 30% equity in the bank as per its purchase conditions."  
Bukhary is a company linked to tycoon Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary. 
Khazanah Nasional Bhd holds the remaining 30% in Bank Muamalat. 
KFH is currently in talks with Utama Banking Group Bhd (UBG) to buy a 32.8% stake in RHB.