KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) president Datuk Aishah Ahmad Badjunaid has died on February 2 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
In a statement today, the association said Aishah's passing is a great loss, not only to all members of MAA but also to the entire automotive industry.
"Highly respected within the local automotive industry as well as by her foreign counterparts in ASEAN, APEC and the Malaysian government, Datuk Aishah was a legend and one of the leading automotive personalities who devoted the best years of her life contributing to the growth and development of the Malaysian automotive industry with her vision, dedication, and passion," MAA said.
Helming the position since 1991, Aishah has spearheaded the growth of the MAA to be the leading automotive industry association in Malaysia.
Under her stewardship, the MAA had grown in stature, memberships, and resources.
"With her leadership and strong commitment, the association has engaged in numerous dialogues, discussions and proposals with the government to resolve industrial issues and review policies to support the expansion and sustenance of the automotive industry in Malaysia," MAA added.
Besides being MAA's president, Aishah was the chairman of Automotive Federation Malaysia (AFM) since 1998 till now.
AFM is the umbrella association for MAA, the Malaysian Automotive Component Parts Manufacturers (MACPMA) and the Motorcycle and Scooter Assemblers & Distributors Association of Malaysia (MASAAM).
Her more than 30 years of service and dedication to MAA and AFM have enriched the organisations with her wisdom and extensive experience.
At the regional level, Aishah served as the ASEAN Automotive Federation (AAF) president for three terms -- 2000 - 2002, 2008 - 2010, and 2015 - 2017.
Under her leadership, the AAF has also grown in stature and size.
During Aishah's presidency in 2015-2017, the AAF successfully managed to recruit the Automotive Association of Myanmar (AAM) and Cambodia Automotive Industry Federation (CAIF) members, thus bringing the complete ten ASEAN member states industry associations into AAF.
On the professional front, Aishah had over 40 years of experience in the automotive industry.
This makes her one of the longest-serving individuals involved in the automotive industry.
She started her career in the mid-1970s with Inchcape Group of Companies in Malaysia.
Then she joined Ford Malaysia and Tractors Malaysia and finally retired in 2021 when she was with the Sime Darby Motors Division.
Despite her retirement, Aishah continued to serve as a board member for the Sime Darby Group of Companies.
"On behalf of the council, members and staff of the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), we extend our most heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to Datuk Aishah Ahmad's family," it added.