KUALA LUMPUR (July 3): A group of businessmen led by former AirAsia Group Bhd chairman Datuk Pahamin Ab Rajab, is said to have met Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad this afternoon to express its interest in helping the government turn around the ailing national carrier Malaysia Airlines Bhd.

A source close to the matter told theedgemarkets.com that during the meeting, the group had sought the approval of the premier to conduct due diligence on the national carrier in order to find the right solution.

Pahamin's name has also been brought up in recent weeks, to take over the chairmanship of Malaysia Airlines and its parent Malaysia Aviation Group Bhd, after the position was left vacant when Tan Sri Mohammed Nor Md Yusof resigned on March 1.

Pahamin was the director-general of the road transport department at the ministry of transport from 1974 to 1998, and the secretary-general of ministry of domestic trade and consumer affairs from 1998 to 2001.

He was appointed as non-executive chairman of low-cost carrier AirAsia on Dec 14, 2001, and retired on June 3, 2008.