KUALA LUMPUR – MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong said he is not the only one raising concerns about Malaysia Airlines’ performance, noting that the members of the public are highlighting issues with the national carrier.
He said this in response to Transport Minister Anthony Loke who yesterday accused Wee of creating “panic” with his calls for accountability over the recent spate of technical difficulties affecting some of the carrier’s planes.
Wee on Facebook today highlighted complaints by ex-Formula 1 racer Alex Yoong who had his flight delayed twice, resulting in missed connecting flights which caused him to cancel his entire trip.
Wee, who preceded Loke as transport minister, told his successor to look at social media posts and comments about Malaysia Airlines.
“If I am deemed to be causing panic, what about other individuals who also share the same sentiment?
“Look at the reactions from social media users – are they causing panic, too?
“When considering the safety and lives of people, it is important to take responsibility and calm the situation,” Wee said in his post today.
Last week, Wee, in another social media post, listed down at least eight incidents involving Malaysia Airlines flights from last year to date. These involved delays, diversions or turn-backs to departure points due to technical and cabin pressure issues.
In the August 23 post, Wee said a continuation of such issues could erode public confidence in the national carrier.
Wee today said his previous comments regarding problems faced by the airline were merely factual, and told Loke that all involved – including the Transport Ministry and Malaysia Airlines Group (MAG) – to take responsibility.
Yesterday, Loke said the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) will be submitting its report on a special audit on MAG, the operator of Malaysia Airlines, Firefly and Amal.
CAAM will also brief the cabinet on a surprise visit it carried out on MAG’s engineering department in June, Loke added. – August 27, 2024