Two bosses of aviation companies claim a former senior Mavcom official abused his power and made demands, including that his nephew be appointed director of a new company.
Two charter airlines have lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) against a former Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) official following allegations of abuse of power.
Eaglexpress president Captain Azlan Zainal Abidin and Suasa Airlines CEO Captain Sheikh Salleh Abod claimed that the official had imposed demands for which he was not qualified to do so, reported FMT.
The news portal reported that Sheikh Salleh’s company had a dispute with Mavcom when the Commission claimed that the airline did not have an air service permit (ASP) for a non-commercial demonstration flight from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi in 2016.
This was despite the fact that Suasa Airlines had already then been given an approval by the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) for the non-commercial flight, claimed Sheikh Salleh.
The Suasa Airlines CEO also claimed that the official then suggested for his airlines to apply for the necessary licences under a new company.
However, the official said Sheikh Salleh could not be part of the new company.
The report said Sheikh Salleh then relented and created the new company, thinking that he could come on board later.
But, Sheikh Salleh said its two board members were then asked to list the nephew of the official as the director and shareholder of the company, a request he deemed unacceptable.
Meanwhile, Azlan Zainal claimed that the official had allegedly discriminated against Eaglexpress.
The report said Mavcom revoked Eaglexpress’ ASP because it failed to increase its cash level to RM30 million while its competitors who did not meet the requirement was instead allowed to continue their operations.
Azlan Zainal claimed that he too was asked to create a new company after his airline’s licence was revoked.
Hence, both Sheikh Salleh and Azlan Zainal said they have lodged a report with MACC, urging it to investigate the former official.
In response, Mavcom in a reply to FMT said that it was unaware of any MACC report lodged against the official and that no Mavcom officials have been contacted by MACC. – The Star