KUALA LUMPUR: Two bills to merge the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) received the Dewan Rakyat nod today.
The Mavcom (Dissolution) Bill 2024 and CAAM (Amendment) Bill 2024 were tabled for second and third reading by Transport Minister Anthony Loke before being passed via voice vote.
Loke said the merger of both bodies aimed to streamline bureaucratic processes and enhance the efficiency of the civil aviation service delivery system, particularly in licensing services.
Through the merger of Mavcom and CAAM, he said, the nation's aviation industry will also no longer require two separate regulatory bodies to monitor affairs relating to the national civil aviation sector.
"The transport sector is a driving force for the nation's growth and the preparation of a quality transportation system is crucial to achieve the aspirations of a developed nation.
"In this context, it is vital that a whole-of-government approach involving the integration and coordination of initiatives towards shared vision that contributes to the efficient use of resources, as well addressing the challenges in the growing transport sector.
"This includes ensuring a robust ecosystem structure and governance in the transportation sector towards a conducive environment for the country's civil aviation sector.
"The drafting of the bills, aimed at implementing the proposal to dissolve Mavcom and transfer all its functions to CAAM, is also intended to ensure the development of the civil aviation industry aligns with government policy directions to be more competitive at the international level," he said.
The Mavcom (Dissolution) Bill 2024 sought to provide for the transfer of all existing agreements, deeds, documents and other instruments from Mavcom to CAAM.
All money standing in or due to be paid to the Aviation Commission Fund and Public Service Fund established under the Mavcom Act 2015 shall be transferred to the CAAM Fund established under the CAAM Act 2017.
Meanwhile, the amendments to the CAAM Act 2017 include increasing the size of its members by not less than six and not more than eight other members.
Under the proposed changes, CAAM will also include a representative from the Economy Ministry apart from representatives from the Transport and Finance ministries.
Mavcom was established on March 1, 2016 under the Mavcom Act 2015 as an independent regulatory body to regulate the economic aspect of the civil aviation industry in Malaysia, including the protection of consumer rights.
CAAM on the other hand, is an independent body, established under the CAAM Act 2017 to oversee the technical and safety matters for Malaysia's civil aviation industry.