AAT denies getting air traffic control contract

The RM128.4 million contract for the supply of an air traffic control system to the National Air Traffic Control Centre was awarded by the government to Selex Sistemi Integrati in 2009 and not to Advanced Air Traffic Systems (M) Sdn Bhd (AAT).

AAT founding shareholder and director Mohamad Munip said AAT had never been involved in the contract negotiation between Selex and the government.

Mohamad Munip was responding to a Malaysiakini report Ex-minister's son in RM128m deal - published in The Malay Mail on June 22.

“Selex was the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for the original system that was installed in 1994,” he said. “The project is an upgraded one and therefore needed the same system and the same OEM.”

“The RM128.4 million contract was not solely to install the air traffic control system in Subang. The contract is for upgrading works for radar and system covering airports in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.

"AAT was one of many Malaysian vendors supporting this project. AAT’s role is to provide installation works and technical assistance for the project. The value of AAT’s contract is about RM9 million over a three-year period from 2009 to 2012.”

Mohamad Munip, a former army engineer, founded AAT in 1994 with three other engineers. He graduated from Sandhurst Military Academy in the early 1960s and is a qualified chartered engineer from the Institute of Production Engineers, United Kingdom.

He served as an army officer for 25 years and retired with the rank of colonel. After his retirement from military service, he headed the manufacturing division of Proton and played an important role during the commencement of the Malaysian national car project. He is currently one of the controlling shareholders of AAT.

Mohamad Munip said that AAT was established to develop in-country capability in the area of integrated logistics support services for air traffic management systems.

Ikhwan Hafiz brought into AAT

The company specialises in the maintenance, repair and overhaul services for air traffic control radar and systems.

He said: "After 17 years of experience, AAT has 110 local engineers and technologists fully trained and experienced in this area, making it the first ever Malaysian company to have a real capability for providing the installation, setting-up, training and commissioning of the air traffic radar system.

"AAT continues to nurture young engineers to become full-fledged radar and communication specialists. AAT employs fresh graduates from universities and technical colleges and trains them until they are qualified, capable and skilled in this high technology field.

"About half our skilled engineering strength comprises young personnel below the age of 35. Ikhwan Hafiz (Jamaluddin) is a young engineer who graduated from the prestigious Imperial College, London, who was brought into AAT to achieve the aspirations of the founders in achieving AAT's specialisation."

Mohamad Munip said the availability and safety standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, the regulator for civil aviation, stands at 99.5 per cent.

"AAT has to date provided excellent maintenance services to Malaysian ATM services operated by the Department of Civil Aviation, delivering system operational availability averaging 99.97 per cent continuously for the past 17 years and without any air incidents.

"To infer otherwise that safety has been compromised is both malicious and irresponsible.

"Further, AAT’s capabilities and services are not only in support of ATM’s systems within Malaysia but also exported to other countries like China, Indian, Nepal, Myanmar and the Middle East," Mohamad Munip said. 

- Malay Mail