Mavcom head Abdullah ‘on his way out’

His departure comes after the government revealed that his salary was RM85,000 a month.

Mavcom and its chairman, Gen (Rtd) Abdullah Ahmad, were at the centre of a recent controversy. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The chairman of the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) is reported to be stepping down after controversy about his salary and calls by airlines to abolish the commission, which regulates civil aviation.

Bernama reported today that Mavcom’s executive chairman, Gen (Rtd) Abdullah Ahmad, was “on his way out”.

The news agency quoted an anonymous source as saying: “I cannot say anything at this point of time. But I can tell you that he is on his way out.”

A statement on the resignation would be issued later, she said, according to Bernama.

Mavcom’s duties are to safeguard the interests of airline passengers, regulate the civil aviation industry, and negotiate aviation rights.

The commission said it received more than 3,900 public complaints and managed to resolve up to 93% of them within 30 days.

Mavcom came under criticism from AirAsia, Eaglexpress Air Charter and Suasa Airlines, which accused Mavcom of not understanding how the aviation industry works.

They urged the federal government to absorb Mavcom’s functions into the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia.

Criticism was also made of a passenger service charge levied on travellers departing from local airports.

Abdullah, a retired air force general, has served Mavcom for more than two years.

His salary of about RM85,000 a month was revealed recently by Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who noted that the amount was four times that earned by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Loke said Mahathir had given instructions for a salary review.

It was revealed that Abdullah’s monthly salary and allowance in 2016 was RM78,300, and he was given a 3% increase in 2017, and a further 5% increment in 2018, to bring his current salary to RM85,000 a month. -FMT