MAS staff to know their fate on June 1

KUALA LUMPUR - The changeover of existing staff at ailing Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MAS) to the new Malaysia Airlines Bhd will start from June 1 this year with all staff getting termination letters with three-month notice.

In a statement today, MAS said only those staff selected by the new firm would also get employment offer letters on the same day.

The changeover to the new Malaysia Airlines means the rehired “employees will commence work on Sept 1″.

Incoming managing director and Group chief executive officer (CEO) Christoph Mueller will also assume his posts effective May 1 – two months earlier than originally planned.

Current chief Ahmad Jauhari Yahya will step down from his executive position on April 30 and be appointed as a non-executive director on the board from May 1 to Dec 31 this year.

According to MAS, the decision to bring forward the leadership transition was made by the board at its meeting on March 18.

Khazanah Nasional Berhad (Khazanah), the sole shareholder of MAS, subsequently gave its approval for Mueller’s appointment and other related matters on March 20.

“The accelerated leadership transition will enable Mueller to be in a position to lead the overall MAS restructuring effort as it enters one of its most critical phases.

“It will also provide him with the executive capacity and an appropriate time frame to prepare the new firm to begin operations,” said MAS.

Tan Sri Md Nor Yusof, chairman of MAS, said Jauhari would be helping to ensure a smooth transition to the new Malaysia Airlines in his non-executive role.

On Mueller’s appointment, Yusof expressed confidence in the former’s ability to “rebuild and restore our national icon to its rightful status”.

Mueller said he looked forward to working with all levels of the company’s team.

“All these stakeholders will be asked for their contribution in a very ambitious turnaround plan, but with the continued support of the Malaysian government, Khazanah, our loyal customers and the travelling public, we will ultimately be successful,” he expressed.

The new Malaysia Airlines will be ready for the migration of MAS’ operations, assets and liabilities on July 1. - Therakyapost