Mavcom fumes over Transport Ministry push to merge it with CAAM

The Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) is fuming over a Transport Ministry proposal to merge it with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAAM).

Mavcom executive chairperson Nungsari Ahmad Radhi (above) said the commission has been informed that the ministry has mooted the merger to the cabinet.

TheEdge, citing sources today, said the proposal had been approved by the cabinet, apparently to empower the CAAM.

"I am disappointed that such a decision was made, with seeming disdain and without consultation with us. It reflects poorly on those involved in this decision," Nungsari said in a statement.

Mavcom was formed under the Mavcom Act 2016, while the CAAM was established to replace the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) in 2017.

Details of the proposed merger are unclear, but speculations on have been making the rounds since late February and were at the time dismissed by Transport Minister Anthony Loke (below).

Nungsari, however, indicated that the merger would entail Mavcom being disbanded and its governing law repealed.

"The decision by the government to repeal the Mavcom Act is a decision that there is no need for an independent economic regulator for the aviation industry that looks into commercial licensing, competition matters, as well as consumer welfare and public service obligations; functions that did not exist before Mavcom was set up," he said.

He said he would focus on looking after the welfare of Mavcom's staff first, before turning his attention to "handing over" of Mavcom's role.

News of the merger comes a month after the US Federal Aviation Administration downgraded CAAM's rating to Category 2.