PUTRAJAYA: The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has conducted a special audit on Malaysia Airlines Group (MAG) following the recent spate of incidents involving its airlines.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said he would be presenting the findings to the cabinet this Wednesday.
"CAAM will undertake follow-up actions. On top of investigations on reports of incidents, CAAM has also conducted a surprise check of MAG's engineering department.
"I am also in touch with their group managing director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail, and I've asked him to make all the necessary follow-up to ensure that the operations are smooth.
"We are taking a very serious concern about what's happening in MAG. Safety is always our top priority," he said in a press conference in his ministry today (Monday).
Loke said among the challenges faced by MAG included the disruption in the aircraft parts supply chain, personnel changeover and the lack of staff that might have affected some maintenance work.
He said the group had taken immediate steps by cutting down flights to ensure maintenance could be done on their aircraft.
However, Loke defended the group and said he did not have an ounce of doubt on MAG's professionalism.
He was responding to remarks made by his predecessor, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, who claimed that there was a "crisis of confidence" among passengers in Malaysia Airlines.
"It's unfortunate for the former transport minister to say that, that is actually questioning the professionalism of MAG and Malaysia Airlines.
"As far as I'm concerned, I have no doubt on the professionalism of MAG for even one minute. I've always believed in their professionalism and that they will do everything to ensure the safety and security of passengers."
In a Facebook post on Saturday, Wee urged the government to investigate and assist Malaysia Airlines with the technical issues it was facing, which totalled to six incidents in the past two months.
"The public is questioning, 'What has happened to Malaysia Airlines? Is it safe to fly with Malaysia Airlines?'," he wrote.
Loke acknowledged the public's concerns on the issue, and reiterated that CAAM had taken immediate steps to investigate the matter.
He said all airlines must report to the CAAM on any incident, which the authority would then investigate.
"There is a mandatory occurrence report that airlines must do, for any incident at all, be it a bird strike, diversion, a turn back or even turbulence.
"But to say that there is a crisis in confidence, he (Wee) should not be causing such worry.
"There are concerns, and I am confident that MAG will do all it can to ensure the safety and confidence of its passengers," he added.