Consultants agree the presence of Berjaya Land’s aviation CEO on the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia board is just not correct.
PETALING JAYA: The federal government ought to revoke the appointment of Chester Voo to the board of the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia due to “a critical battle of curiosity”, says an anti-corruption activist.
Edmund Terrence Gomez mentioned the federal government had didn’t be taught from comparable errors previously, such because the appointment of Rashdan Yusof because the Power Fee chairman whereas he was nonetheless a senior government of Gamuda Bhd.
Voo’s appointment, introduced by CAAM on June 10, raised issues as a result of Berjaya Group’s participation within the aviation business and its proposal to construct an airport on Pulau Tioman.
CAAM can be the authority answerable for issuing aerodrome operator licences (AOL).
Voo turned Berjaya Land’s CEO of group aviation in February. An organization assertion on the time mentioned he would oversee airways below Berjaya: Berjaya Air, Asia Jet, and Rafflesia Airways.
Gomez mentioned the federal government had didn’t be taught from comparable errors it had made previously, citing the latest appointment of Rashdan because the Power Fee chairman for instance.
Regardless of his appointment in February to move the power regulator, Rashdan saved his place as deputy group managing director of Gamuda Bhd, which is concerned within the renewable power enterprise.
He resigned from Gamuda two months later following widespread criticism.
“I might have thought that the unity authorities would have realised the implications of the controversy, however that doesn’t appear to be the case,” Gomez informed FMT.
Badlishah Sham Baharin, president of Muslim NGO Ikram, mentioned Voo, who beforehand served as CEO of CAAM between 2020 and 2022, would have entry to info concerning licence renewals in addition to info on the business features of aviation.
“Being aware of such info will put him in direct battle of curiosity as he’s the CEO of Berjaya Land’s aviation group,” mentioned Badlishah.
He cautioned that the transfer will concern rivals within the business as it could “give rise to unfair competitors”.
Transport skilled Rosli Khan warned that Voo’s appointment to CAAM’s board may have an effect on Malaysia’s fame within the world aviation business.
He mentioned that as a member of the Worldwide Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Malaysia is sure by charters and protocols overlaying features akin to security, safety, effectivity and environmental safety.
“Failing to adjust to some fundamental and basic rulings could price our nation dearly so far as insurance coverage claims are involved,” he informed FMT.
Rosli emphasised that CAAM should be administered in step with the ICAO’s mandate.
“Members of the CAAM board should be impartial, non-executive, and can’t be drawn from any current working airways or can’t be a consultant of any working airways,” he mentioned.
Former SPAD official Wan Agyl Wan Hassan mentioned a battle of curiosity may come up “if Voo is ready to leverage his place at CAAM to the benefit of Berjaya Group”.
Nevertheless, he steered such conflicts could possibly be managed by an impartial physique.
Wan Agyl proposed a joint taskforce between CAAM and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Fee to ceaselessly “assessment any potential abuses of energy and conflicts of curiosity”.
Transport minister Loke Siew Fook yesterday mentioned the legality of Voo’s appointment as a CAAM board member had been referred to CAAM’s authorized adviser.
FMT has reached out to Voo for remark.
