KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 10): Celcom Axiata Bhd chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly has dismissed rumours that he will be taking over the helm of ailing national carrier Malaysia Airline System Bhd to revamp its business.

He told reporters during Celcom’s results briefing today, that he will not be leaving his position as the CEO of Celcom anytime soon to head MAS, jokingly stating that his “blood is still blue”.

“Whatever news that has been going around saying that I got an official offer and I would join them (MAS) tomorrow — that’s all completely untrue,” he said.

He said he will continue to head Celcom for as long as his services are required, and that he has been entrusted to deliver Celcom’s transformation phase.

“So, I will stay focused on what I’m supposed to deliver,” Shazalli said.

Axiata Group Bhd CEO Datuk Seri Jamaludin Ibrahim had previously said none of the group’s top executives are leaving, dismissing reports that Khazanah may turn to Jamaludin or Shazalli to lead MAS, during its restructuring.

Khazanah is reportedly looking at several potential candidates for the top job at a reconstituted MAS. Besides Jamaludin and Shazalli, other names that have cropped up includes Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala, who served as MAS CEO between 2005 and 2009.