KUALA LUMPUR: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) has taken necessary actions against those involved in malpractice following millions in pilot training funds had gone missing.
In a statement, Mara said it has taken firm and appropriate action by lodging a police report, and legal action has been taken against those involved in this issue.
It also said it had established a partnership with the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) on April 15, 2018, to produce professional, highly skilled pilot trainees.
"Mara and MAG formed a partnership on April 15 2018, focusing on education, human capital development, research, investment, and entrepreneurship, specifically to produce highly skilled and professional graduates as national pilot cadets.
"MAG, through the Malaysia Airlines Bhd Academy (MAB), is responsible for identifying potential candidates for the pilot cadet programme, based on the guidelines set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), to undergo training at the Aviation Academy, as agreed between MAG and Mara."
It also provides support by offering loans to the participating students, who are guaranteed employment with Malaysia Airlines (MAS) upon completing their studies.
"This strategic partnership has successfully placed 39 Malaysian students to pursue their studies as pilot cadets, undergoing Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) training at the Czech Aviation Training Centre (CATC) in the Czech Republic.
"A total of 38 students have secured employment immediately upon completing their studies with MAS, while one student is continuing their studies domestically, expected to be completed by 2025."
It was reported that that a Malaysian-based company was entrusted with carrying out financial transactions with the CATC.
Several groups of cadet pilots, including the 39 Mara-sponsored students, enrolled through the company from 2019 to 2022, including those who were self-funded and those who obtained commercial bank loans, with fees ranging from RM400,000 to RM700,000 per person.
A father of a former pilot trainee, who wished to be referred to as Yusof (not his real name), said his son was among the Mara-sponsored students sent to Prague in November 2020.
He said Mara allocated approximately RM441,000 for each trainee at the CATC in Prague.
The funds were given to the company to cover their tuition and accommodation fees.
However, the company failed to resolve the matter with CATC, leading Mara to enrol the students into local flight schools instead.
For those already in Prague, Mara provided additional funds for its sponsored students, including Yusof's son.
However, self-funded students faced issues and some had to pay CATC directly, while others returned home without completing their training due to lack of funds.
Fuad Nizam
KUALA LUMPUR: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) has taken necessary actions against those involved in malpractice following millions in pilot training funds had gone missing.
In a statement, Mara said it has taken firm and appropriate action by lodging a police report, and legal action has been taken against those involved in this issue.
It also said it had established a partnership with the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) on April 15, 2018, to produce professional, highly skilled pilot trainees.
"Mara and MAG formed a partnership on April 15 2018, focusing on education, human capital development, research, investment, and entrepreneurship, specifically to produce highly skilled and professional graduates as national pilot cadets.
"MAG, through the Malaysia Airlines Bhd Academy (MAB), is responsible for identifying potential candidates for the pilot cadet programme, based on the guidelines set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), to undergo training at the Aviation Academy, as agreed between MAG and Mara."
It also provides support by offering loans to the participating students, who are guaranteed employment with Malaysia Airlines (MAS) upon completing their studies.
"This strategic partnership has successfully placed 39 Malaysian students to pursue their studies as pilot cadets, undergoing Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) training at the Czech Aviation Training Centre (CATC) in the Czech Republic.
"A total of 38 students have secured employment immediately upon completing their studies with MAS, while one student is continuing their studies domestically, expected to be completed by 2025."
It was reported that that a Malaysian-based company was entrusted with carrying out financial transactions with the CATC.
Several groups of cadet pilots, including the 39 Mara-sponsored students, enrolled through the company from 2019 to 2022, including those who were self-funded and those who obtained commercial bank loans, with fees ranging from RM400,000 to RM700,000 per person.
A father of a former pilot trainee, who wished to be referred to as Yusof (not his real name), said his son was among the Mara-sponsored students sent to Prague in November 2020.
He said Mara allocated approximately RM441,000 for each trainee at the CATC in Prague.
The funds were given to the company to cover their tuition and accommodation fees.
However, the company failed to resolve the matter with CATC, leading Mara to enrol the students into local flight schools instead.
For those already in Prague, Mara provided additional funds for its sponsored students, including Yusof's son.
However, self-funded students faced issues and some had to pay CATC directly, while others returned home without completing their training due to lack of funds.