PETALING JAYA, May 26 — Former Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail today defended the role of the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) in safeguarding flight passengers.
He said largest beneficiary from Mavcom’s establishment is the travelling public due to the fact it acts as an independent regulator and has been entrusted with the responsibility to provide a mechanism for the protection of consumers in the civil aviation industry in Malaysia.
“Today, travellers who fly can rest assured be it automatic add-ons by airlines, post-purchase price increase of tickets, flight delays or even damaged baggage, you can go to Mavcom with your complaints,” said Abdul Gani in a media statement issued today.
The 62-year-old, who was a former Steering Committee for Aviation Commission member, said complaints to Mavcom have to be responded to within a set timeframe of seven days and resolved within 30 days.
“There is no longer a need to rely on the mercy of commercial entities or being unsure of exactly when conflicts can be resolved,” he said.
Abdul Gani stressed that neither the Transport Ministry nor the Malaysian Competition Commission offers such a service, and it is erroneous to suggest that Mavcom is taking over both these entities’ roles.
His comments came following several social media posts and media reports targeting Mavcom with false accusations.
As a former member of the Steering Committee to set up an Aviation Commission, Abdul Gani said he was tasked to draw out a framework for an aviation commission and felt compelled to explain on Mavcom’s role.
Abdul Gani credited Mavcom as an independent commission that intercedes on the consumers’ behalf.
He explained that the RM1 contributed by passengers when departing from a Malaysian airport was akin to a sound investment for the peace of mind.
“Moreover, passengers using the Rural Air Services (RAS) in Sabah and Sarawak are exempted from this charge,” added Abdul Gani.
Abdul Gani said he cannot emphasise enough on the need for Mavcom as consumers today are faced with a multitude of situations where their rights are violated.
“We need an independent entity to look out for us,” he said.
The latest accusation levelled against Mavcom was that it was blamed for collecting “protection money” by the Malaysian Public Transport Users Association (4PAM).
The association has urged the government to stop collecting a RM1 charge levied on airline passengers leaving from any commercial airport in Malaysia.
The levy, called a regulatory service charge, was imposed from May 1 by Mavcom.
Earlier this month, AirAsia chief Tan Sri Tony Fernandes accused the commission of pressuring him to cancel cheap flights to accommodate thousands of voters going home to cast their votes in the recent elections on May 9.
Mavcom subsequently refuted the allegation and has since lodged a police report on the matter.
