KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat was told today that top guns in the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) are politically affiliated and this could present an opportunity for abuse of power.
Julian Tan Kok Ping (DAP-Stampin) claimed that instead of protecting the aviation industry, Mavcom could be seen as a political tool.
“Mavcom should be protecting the aviation industry.
“Instead, Mavcom needs to protect itself from Mavcom,” he said during the debate on the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Amendment) 2017 today.
He said the appointment of the commissioner comes under the Prime Minister’s Department or the prime minister himself.
Tan also listed the composition of Mavcom, as mentioned in Section 5 of the Malaysian Aviation Commission Act.
According to the act, Mavcom will consist of the following: an executive chairman who shall be appointed by the prime minister; two representatives of the transport ministry and the director-general of the economic planning unit.
“Not less than four but not more than six shall be appointed by the transport minister after consultation with the prime minister,” said Tan.
He pointed out that Mavcom’s senior chief operating officer Amir Zain was the director of investment for Khazanah Nasional Bhd for about five years.
“How can you have senior management in Mavcom, who are from Malaysia Airlines, when their role is to supervise the overall airline industry in Malaysia?” Tan asked.
He added that it was a clear conflict of interest.
Tan said Mavcom could be another monster in the making as it could be used to prevent entrepreneurs without political backing from excelling in the aviation industry.
During the debate earlier, opposition MPs had also raised the issue of a fare hike during festive and school holidays.
Deputy Transport Minister Aziz Kaprawi said Mavcom would look into the matter seriously.
The MPs had also raised concerns over several issues, such as the departure tax which would cost every passenger RM1.
They also expressed concern about other taxes, including the increase in passenger service tax from RM50 to RM73.
Aziz will continue his winding-up speech on the bill tomorrow. -FMT
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