MPs Question AirAsia's Commitment to Nation's Interest

[Y C LEONG 1]

KUALA LUMPUR, March 21 (Bernama) -- Members of Parliament (MPs), Tuesday questioned AirAsia's commitment in fulfilling its responsibility to the nation since the Low Cost Carrier (LCC) was only interested in profit.

 

During the debate on the motion of thanks for the Royal Address in the Dewan Rakyat, Tuesday, they raised the issue of distribution of domestic routes to Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and AirAsia, and asked the government to review its decision.

 

Datuk Paduka Badruddin Amiruldin (BN-Jerai) said it was not impossible that AirAsia might sell the company to foreigners some day if it were to experience losses.

 

"When this happens, problems will arise as AirAsia not only controls domestic flights but also has at its disposal a Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) provided by the government.

 

"When AirAsia is owned by foreigners, what are we going to say? We have already provided the facilities," he said.

 

In addition, he said, AirAsia behaved like a village taxi which only commenced its journey when it had a full load and was not tied down with social responsibilities like MAS.

 

He was supported by Datuk Mahadzir Mohd Khir (BN-Sungai Petani) who said AirAsia was not like MAS which had social responsibilities as a national carrier.

 

"I am worried that AirAsia, if it runs into cashflow problem, will collude with Singapore and ask the latter to take over our domestic routes as the company only seeks profits," he said.

 

Lau Yeng Peng (BN-Puchong) suggested that the government ask AirAsia to focus only on regional routes and leave domestic flights to MAS.

 

"Now AirAsia is focusing on taking over profitable local routes," he said.

 

The issue of Malaysia-Singapore relations was also a subject of heated debate with several backbenchers and opposition MPs voicing their anger over the attitude of the republic's leaders who they described as bad neighbours.

 

Datuk Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) said Singapore was a neighbour which was "kurang ajar" (ill-bred) for trying to fool around with Malaysia on outstanding issues between the two countries. "The government must defend Malaysia's sovereignty. Don't let ourselves be belittled by others," he said.

 

Badruddin said it was time for Malaysia to be firm with the city-state and not simply follow its dictates.

 

"They want water, we give water...they want durian, we give durian...they want durian without the skin, we give and throw the skin in Johor. Enough is enough.

 

"They were once part of Malaysia. Now they want to teach us. If we keep entertaining them we will end up the losers," he said.

 

Datuk Abdul Halim Abdul Rahman (PAS-Pengkalan Chepa) suggested to Bung Moktar to table an emergency motion to prevent the government from selling sand to Singapore and allowing the neighbour's jet fighters to use Malaysian airspace.

 

Bung Moktar replied that his responsibility as an MP was to admonish the government when there were matters the people were unhappy about but not to warn it.

 

Hamim Samuri (BN-Ledang) said the building of a new bridge to replace the existing causeway involved national pride and it should proceed.

 

The government, he said, should not bow to the selfish demands of Singapore.

 

"It does not matter if the bridge is crooked or straight, we have decided to build it. We should go ahead with our decision," he said.

 

Datuk Mohamed Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) said the question of selling sand or opening Malaysia's airspace did not arise after Malaysia decided it would proceed with a crooked bridge, now called the "scenic bridge".

 

"We want to tell the government, there is no need to think any more.

 

"We just go ahead with the crooked bridge, no need to worry about whether we have to sell sand or open up our airspace as the conditions set by Singapore are for a straight bridge," he said.

 

The Dewan will sit again, Wednesday.

 

-- BERNAMA

 

 

 

 

 

well.. i hope the members here can sound their opinions to the government.. enjoy reading the news.. dont get over excited or furious though..

[Andrew Lim 1]

Now if the govt and MPs had kept a closer eye on MAS operations during the ex-CEO's reign, MAS might not be in this lousy financial shape at the moment and end up having to distribute routes to Air Asia, now would it?

 

The fact is that the govt had failed in their duty to safeguard the national carrier against possible misuse of funds by CEOs so now they end up with financial difficulties.

And since they (the govt) keep preaching about meritrocracy, they should let a more able airline handle some of the routes.

 

<<Members of Parliament (MPs), Tuesday questioned AirAsia's commitment in fulfilling its responsibility to the nation since the Low Cost Carrier (LCC) was only interested in profit.>>

 

What a stupid statement by MPs. An airline is a business and the main purpose of a business is to make profit! Not to serve the goverment's wishes!

 

 

i dont wan to coment on the bridge issue as it is an inappropriate topic for this forum but i do agree that Malaysia needs to be much firmer with her neighbours.

Edited March 23, 2006 by Andrew Lim

[Seth K 3]

MP question MAS and AK, whose next? Transmile?

MP question Transmile.

[W Goh 0]

"I am worried that AirAsia, if it runs into cashflow problem, will collude with Singapore and ask the latter to take over our domestic routes as the company only seeks profits," he said.

 

Man, when will the over-nationalism and Singapore bashing stop? And I was starting to think that maybe MAS should learn from SIA on how to run an airline.

[Kee Hooi Yen 0]

MP question MAS and AK, whose next? Transmile?

MP question Transmile.

 

 

Transmile says RMAF (air force)

 

 

 

In addition, he said, AirAsia behaved like a village taxi which only commenced its journey when it had a full load and was not tied down with social responsibilities like MAS.

 

He was supported by Datuk Mahadzir Mohd Khir (BN-Sungai Petani) who said AirAsia was not like MAS which had social responsibilities as a national carrier.

 

"I am worried that AirAsia, if it runs into cashflow problem, will collude with Singapore and ask the latter to take over our domestic routes as the company only seeks profits," he said.>>

 

 

RMAF will do the job

[Kee Hooi Yen 0]

..and... KLIA LCCT will full with C130 instead of A320 and B737.

[Bing Chu 0]

..... questioned AirAsia's commitment in fulfilling its responsibility to the nation since the Low Cost Carrier (LCC) was only interested in profit .....

If they are profitable, the nation stands to gain from taxes to be paid by said airline. On the other hand, MH lost quite a substantial amount of the nation's money, on top of loss of revenue from no taxes paid. Quite a comical version of 'responsibility' by any standard

 

..... it was not impossible that AirAsia might sell the company to foreigners some day if it were to experience losses ......

Welcome to the global community !

 

..... AirAsia behaved like a village taxi which only commenced its journey when it had a full load .....

Has this practice started ? Last time I was on board an AK flight, there were a few empty seats - we shouldn't have flown at all then

 

....."I am worried that AirAsia, if it runs into cashflow problem, will collude with Singapore and ask the latter to take over our domestic routes as the company only seeks profits," he said .....

He should be more worried by MH's request for RM2B of the nation's money, and not for the first time. BTW, anyone care to explain to him the already current 'collusion' with SQ on the KUL-SIN-KUL sector - how else can fares be so absurd ?

Furthermore, the YB needs to be reminded of Mr Jala's stated priority to return MH into profitability, irrespective of ..............

 

 

..... ask AirAsia to focus only on regional routes and leave domestic flights to MAS.....

Very radical idea ! Another 'jaguh kampung' in the making (For Pieter's benefit, jaguh kampung = village champion)

 

..... the building of a new bridge to replace the existing causeway involved national pride and it should proceed..... "It does not matter if the bridge is crooked or straight, we have decided to build it. We should go ahead with our decision," ..... "We just go ahead with the crooked bridge ....."

If that is national pride, I shudder in anticipation of .....

.....The Dewan will sit again, Wednesday.....

 

[S V Choong 4]

..and... KLIA LCCT will full with C130 instead of A320 and B737.

 

Would prefer to have the McDD or Boeing C-17s

What's next? Passengers sitting in row seats facing each other and then parachute off the rear opening without a landing? How convenient!

 

Datuk Paduka Badruddin Amiruldin (BN-Jerai) said it was not impossible that AirAsia might sell the company to foreigners some day if it were to experience losses.

 

Here comes the xenophobia at the aftermath of Asian Economic Crisis.

 

"I am worried that AirAsia, if it runs into cashflow problem, will collude with Singapore and ask the latter to take over our domestic routes as the company only seeks profits," he said.

 

For his information, quite a few of MAS' aircraft are leased from SALE, a Singaporean company. Does he know that? This guy has his dislikes over Singapore. I am sure if it was Brunei, he will sure welcome it.

 

Tuesday questioned AirAsia's commitment in fulfilling its responsibility to the nation since the Low Cost Carrier (LCC) was only interested in profit.

 

So I suppose MAS is not, thats why it is bleeding heavily? What is wrong with these politicians? An airline is just another business, not a bloody social welfare or benefit. If PMB is not interested in profit, they shouldn't take any from MAS. Our country is full of crappy policies entertaining these idealist socialist biased notions of "for people's benefit" and ultimately they all go into bloody corrupted officials' deep pockets. It is just so bloody wrong.

Edited March 24, 2006 by S V Choong

[Sanjay Thaker 0]

Isnt time for them to start giving Air Asia some kinda trust.......

[Rozhan 0]

Many Malaysians work at Air Asia. Why are there so many people, politicians included, feeling so bitter about Air Asia?

[H Azmal 0]

Many Malaysians work at Air Asia. Why are there so many people, politicians included, feeling so bitter about Air Asia?

 

Because they haven't got part of the dough?

[Mohd Nizam 0]

Because they haven't got part of the dough?

 

Maybe ..

[Abel E 0]

Because they haven't got part of the dough?

 

maybe its not a malay owned company

[Pieter C. 5]

Because they haven't got part of the dough?

 

 

I thought AK was a Plc ? So, they can buy AK shares and "enjoy" profit-sharing, right ?

[Rozhan 0]

Yes Pieter, AK is a plc. But the Malaysian Bourse is often made to be like a casino... people are not that interested for long term dividends, but instead crave short term gains. At the moment and for a while now already, the market is lethargic. Many listed gov connected companies are virtually in the pits.

 

AK has made air travel affordable to many who pay their own way. For that alone, I have much admiration of the organization and the people who make it work. Nowadays, we can even see people in suits flying AK, and not just holiday makers who want to make their money go the distance.

Edited March 26, 2006 by Rozhan

[H Azmal 0]

maybe its not a malay owned company

 

your point being...?

 

[Bing Chu 0]

I thought AK was a Plc ? So, they can buy AK shares and "enjoy" profit-sharing, right ?

It could be "profit-sharing" is the wrong type of dough they're craving for ! Much like MH, it is very doughy it seems !