Is it time to let Malaysia Airlines fend for itself?

THIS year - it was hoped - would be remarkably different for ailing Malaysia Airlines (MAS).

Against all odds, it would rise like a phoenix and stage a grand comeback to Bursa Malaysia amid cheer that shareholder Khazanah Nasional Berhad has nailed it (finally) and restored the carrier's fortunes and alongside that, national pride.

All that sounds absurd now.