KUALA LUMPUR: A new bill was passed in the Dewan Rakyat tonight, paving the way for the establishment of Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).
CAAM, which will incorporate the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), will help regulate the safety and security of the sector.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, when winding-up the debate on the bill, said presently, the functions specified under the proposed Act are being carried out by the DCA.
Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Aziz Kaprawi tabled the CAAM Bill 2016 yesterday, together with a bill to amend the Civil Aviation Act 1969, to help facilitate the establishment of CAAM.
Under the amendment, those who contravene any safety directives issued by CAAM chief executive officer (CEO) can be fined up to RM500,000 or a maximum of five years’ jail or both, while those who refused to comply with any requests made by the CEO or authorised officer, are liable to a maximum fine of RM200,000 or jailed up to five years or both.
In the explanatory statement for the CAAM bill, the decision to set up the authority was in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) requirement, which has called on contracting states of the Chicago Convention to establish an autonomous civil aviation authority.
Chicago Convention or Convention on International Civil Aviation was drafted in 1944 by 54 nations to promote cooperation and understanding among the countries.
The landmark agreement has also led to the creation of the specialised agency, ICAO.
The explanatory statement also said that the establishment of CAAM would ensure that it has greater flexibility to attract and retain qualified technical personnel in civil aviation.
“They will ensure that the national and international obligations related to civil aviation can be carried out and the universal safety, security standards and requirements are implemented, complied with and well maintained,” it said.
CAAM will consist of a chairman, a representative each from the Transport and Finance Ministries, another four to six members from the Transport Ministry and a CEO.
Under the proposed amendment of the Civil Aviation Act, all the duties and functions of DCA director-general will be conferred to the new authority.
It will also strengthen the provisions under the Act by introducing the power to conduct safety regulatory oversight and to issue safety directive, as required by the ICAO.