Epstein-linked port chairman appointed for expertise, says MMC Corporation

McCormick Ports, Malaysia's leading port operator, announced the appointment of Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem as executive chairman of its ports unit. The decision comes after public backlash over the emirati's alleged connections to the late Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. According to an internal memo reviewed by Reuters, Sultan Ahmed's appointment aligns with MMC Corporation's mission to uphold international standards of excellence and competitiveness.

MMC Ports operates seven ports along the Malacca Strait, a crucial global shipping route. However, the appointment has sparked concerns about governance at the company, which holds a controlling stake in Malaysia's largest port operator. The planned stock market listing, potentially Malaysia's biggest in over a decade, has been delayed due to the controversy.

Sultan Ahmed's background is shrouded in mystery, with no public comment on the links to Epstein. The controversy has ignited outrage on social media and prompted calls from civil society groups to revoke the appointment.