Mavcom hopes to thrive under Pakatan government

Airline industry regulator's chief Azmir puts his faith in PH manifesto promise of strengthening agencies to operate independently.

Azmir Zain of Mavcom says the agency and the Transport Ministry have had good meetings.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) hopes to thrive under the new Pakatan Harapan federal government, its chief operating officer Azmir Zain said.

Speaking to FMT, he said that Mavcom would thrive under the new government if Pakatan Harapan stuck to its promises in its manifesto.

“We’ve taken notice that Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto includes looking at strengthening agencies and allowing them to operate independently. Independence is a key factor for Mavcom to successfully serve the aviation industry and consumers,” he told FMT.

Mavcom is the regulator for the airline industry. It safeguards the interests of airline passengers and negotiates air traffic rights.

Azmir was unperturbed by the spotlight that was cast on the RM85,000 a month salary of its executive chairman, revealed by Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

Azmir rejected any notion that Loke’s announcement would put the commission in a shaky position. Mavcom and the Transport Minister have had numerous engagements which seemed to indicate that things were going well between the government and the commission.

“He’s come to our office here, we have gone to his office there. We certainly feel we’ve had good meetings with him. He’s also requested Mavcom look into a couple of areas in the commission and we are doing as he’s requested,” he said without revealing what those areas were.

Loke had also revealed that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad agreed to review salaries of all chairman of commissions, government-linked companies and statutory bodies.

Azmir said Mavcom was giving full cooperation. -FMT