PUTRAJAYA: The government is set to consolidate its aviation regulatory bodies, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) and the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom), with two bills slated for introduction in the upcoming parliamentary session.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that the cabinet, on June 5, approved the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Dissolution) Bill 2024 and the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (Amendment) Bill.
These bills will be tabled during the Second Meeting of the Third Session of the Fifteenth Parliament, scheduled from June 24 to Aug 1.
The merger, initially proposed by Loke in 2019, aims to streamline Malaysia's aviation oversight by integrating Mavcom's responsibilities in finance, commerce, and economics with CAAM's focus on technical aspects.
"Subsequently, the regulatory body for Malaysia's aviation industry will be restructured and placed under a single entity to drive the development of the civil aviation industry in line with the government's policy direction to be more competitive internationally.
"With the merger of Mavcom and CAAM, there will no longer be a need for separate approvals from two agencies. Instead, a single government entity will process applications for technical approvals and licencing.
"The reform also aims to reduce bureaucratic red tape and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the civil aviation service delivery system, particularly in licencing services,"
he told a press conference.
This, Loke said as the merged entity will then be an independent statutory body under the Transport Ministry.
He added that the merger is currently at the legislative stage and the actual consolidation of the two aviation authorities will commence later next year, pending another announcement.
"What I announced is that we will bring this bill to Parliament. After Parliament debates and passes this bill, it does not mean that Mavcom will be closed immediately.
"It will take time for the merger to happen. That will only be announced later. It might be next year.
"Mavcom's staff will be absorbed into the new entity, so there will be no retrenchment, we will create positions within the entity and this will take at least a few months to be completed," he
added.