KUALA LUMPUR, March 21 — The world’s first Shariah-compliant airline is under investigation for allegedly issuing handwritten boarding passes, which Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai deemed to be a potential security threat.
Liow said today that his ministry is looking into complaints and may even suspend Rayani Air.
“Yes, it can be a security threat because you can’t read the handwriting. If it’s clear, then it’s different, but if not clear then normally that is not be the case.
“Should not use handwriting for boarding pass, they should have proper boarding pass [sic],” he told reporters outside the Dewan Rakyat here.
Rayani Air came under scrutiny after Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San first posted a picture of his allegedly handwritten boarding pass from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching, Sarawak, which was subsequently circulated on social media.
Liow said the ministry will monitor Rayani Air closely and promised to take action if any other problem emerges.
“We can even suspend if we find them not following our orders [sic],” he said.
The Bentong MP said the ministry had approved Rayani Air’s licence previously because the airline had followed all the regulations set by the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).
“They can comply with all the safety regulations and comply with all the requirements of DCA. So they were given the licence. This is a democratic country,” he added.
