Report: MAS CEO's early exit not due to political pressure

The departure of Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAS) chief executive officer Christoph Mueller from the airline two years ahead of schedule has raised questions over the reasons for his early exit.

However, Mueller told a town hall meeting with MAS staff yesterday that his departure was not due to political pressure or that he could not turn the troubled airline around, The Star reported today.

"He summed it up by saying that his departure was due to personal reasons and described his decision as something that would hurt his credentials and bank balance," the report says.

It said Mueller revealed at the town hall meeting of some 500 staff that his departure was due to personal reasons.

"However, he said, he could not divulge the personal reasons and hoped that everyone would understand," the report says.

Mueller, who was touted as the man who will turn around the loss-making national air carrier MAS after two air disasters in 2014, surprised the industry when it was revealed he would leave the airline in September.

The report said Mueller hoped to stay on as a non-executive director to see through the transition of MAS under a new chief executive. -Mkini