Scrutinise top-ranking staff in GLCs, says Kadir Jasin after CAAM downgrade

Kadir Jasin says even if ministers feel secure in their jobs, it doesn’t mean that the people are fully satisfied with their performance.

PETALING JAYA: Veteran journalist A Kadir Jasin has called on the government to scrutinise government-linked companies (GLCs) and government-linked investment companies after the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) was downgraded to Category 2 earlier this week.

In a blog post today, Kadir, who is also the media and communications adviser to the prime minister, said that top-ranking civil servants, the top management, board members and chairmen in GLCs and GLICs must be scrutinised for their performance because people can no longer tolerate their inefficiency.

“The non-performers, laggards and ‘gunting lipat dalam’ (those who can cause harm) types must go,” he said.

Kadir added that most of those in top positions of such bodies were appointed by the new government and they should be removed if they’re not performing.

“The government must seriously examine itself and its machinery. The Pakatan Harapan (PH) government has been in power for more than 17 months.

“Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has repeatedly dismissed rumours of a Cabinet reshuffle. Even if ministers feel secure in their jobs, it doesn’t mean that the people are fully satisfied with their performance,” he said.

As for CAAM’s downgrade, he said the recent downgrade hampers the government’s efforts to make the aviation industry a key driver of the economy.

“It affects not only the access of Malaysia-registered aircraft to US airports and airspace.

“It could also have negative effects on our MRO (maintenance, repair and operations) services, pilot licensing and flight training, aircraft registration, code-sharing, air travellers’ confidence and aircraft insurance.”

He reiterated his stand in an earlier Facebook post that heads must roll over this downgrade.

“The entire board and top management of the CAAM must be held accountable.

“Even Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook must assume responsibility.

“This is no laughing matter. Even the opposition parties, who are laughing at us, have a strong reason to do so.” he said, adding that the CAAM did not get downgraded for over 60 years under the Barisan Nasional government.

Kadir said the matter needs urgent attention because unless Malaysia is seen to be doing the right things, the CAAM may face scrutiny from other international and national aviation regulators.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently downgraded Malaysia’s air safety rating to Category 2, which among others, subjects the country’s airlines to flight restrictions and more checks.

But CAAM said the move would not affect local airlines, airports or air traffic services.

In a statement responding to a report of the downgrade, CAAM chairman Ahmad Ridzwan Mohd Salleh acknowledged that CAAM had several shortcomings in carrying out its duties as an aviation regulator.

He said a request had been made for the FAA to conduct a re-assessment to restore CAAM’s status as a Category 1 aviation regulator within the next 12 months.

CAAM also said some of the FAA findings, including on legislation, training and obligations, were “ambiguous”. - FMT