MAS plans to suspend its share trading today

[KUALA LUMPUR] Malaysia Airlines (MAS) plans to suspend its shares from trading today, two sources familiar with the situation said, likely paving the way for state investor Khazanah Nasional to take the airline private as a first step in a major restructuring.

Trading in the company, whose official name is Malaysian Airline System, will be halted due to "a pending corporate announcement," according to the sources, who declined to elaborate. The sources speaking to Reuters declined to be identified as the matter was private.

The Business Times last week reported that Khazanah Nasional, majority owner of the national carrier, is expected to submit a broad plan to take the airline private to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak this week.