LETTER | Concerns over dissolution of Mavcom

LETTER | On June 26, the Parliament passed the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Dissolution) Bill 2024, which will lead to the dissolution of Mavcom. Consequently, all its properties, funds, rights, and functions will be transferred to the Civil Aviation Authority Malaysia (CAAM) under the Transport Ministry.

The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) expresses grave disappointment at this development. As we had stated in December 2019, when the plan for this dissolution and merger was officially announced, CAP is strongly against this merger.

During the parliamentary session, several opposition MPs objected to the dissolution, questioning the haste with which the transport minister sought to pass the bill.

These objections were rooted in national security concerns, as Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a foreign company acquired by Blackrock, is set to own 30 percent of Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB).

Additionally, opposition MPs stressed that merging Mavcom and CAAM, with CAAM answering to the transport minister, removes the check-and-balance system previously in place when Mavcom reported directly to Parliament.

These are all valid points but CAP is particularly concerned with the protection and rights of airline consumers moving forward.

We would like to highlight that all along, Mavcom has been looking out for the welfare of airline consumers.

For instance, the Malaysian Aviation Consumer Protection Code 2016 (MACPC) was enforced on July 1, 2016, to address major complaints from airline consumers, including baggage issues, automatic add-ons, flight delays and cancellations, and post-purchase ticket price increases.

The MACPC (Amendment) 2019, enforced on June 1, 2019, further dealt with hidden charges and misleading advertisements.

In the past year, we have seen an increase in incidents where airlines supposedly cancel flights, only to put the original seats up for sale again after passengers have reluctantly chosen alternative, less ideal flight times suggested by the airline company.

Furthermore, there have been numerous instances of airlines denying cash refunds for flights that they cancel, forcing passengers to accept airline credits that have an expiry date. This practice unfairly impacts passengers who may not be able to use these credits before they expire, effectively burning their hard-earned money.

Another pressing issue is the rights of airline consumers when a flight booked through a tour agency is cancelled. These concerns, among others, were being actively studied by Mavcom.

Mavcom has continued this work of improving airline consumer protection. In recent months, they have consulted with CAP and other stakeholders about a proposed further amendment to the MACPC.

With Mavcom’s dissolution now guaranteed, we question whether the new amendment to the MACPC, which could significantly enhance airline consumer protection, will ever be realised.

The transport minister had highlighted that the dissolution of Mavcom and the merger with CAAM was necessary to reduce red tape and improve the aviation service delivery, especially in licensing, and to empower CAAM financially, etc.

However, nothing much was said about airline consumer protection. Only that CAAM will be taking over the functions of Mavcom which include handling consumer complaints. CAP remains deeply concerned about the implications of Mavcom’s dissolution for the future of airline consumers.

MOHIDEEN ABDUL KADER is president of the Consumers Association of Penang.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.