KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) is expected to announce its new chief executive officer (CEO) as early as today.
Sources said the airline had called for a town hall meeting with its employees today to announce an internal promotion within the group.
They told Business Times the candidate would be a foreigner, without naming anyone in the airline.
It is understood that MAB’s sole shareholder, Khazanah Nasional Bhd, was supposed to make an announcement of the new CEO last week. However, it was postponed to today.
There were also talks that there had been a change to the initial plan to appoint a local to spearhead the airline.
However, sources said the change was made as there were many people lobbying for the No. 1 position in the airline.
One name that was recently tipped to take over from outgoing CEO Christoph Mueller was executive director and chief operating officer Peter Bellew.
The Irishman told Business Times last week that he could not comment on the speculation.
“I know Khazanah is still busy with a global search. I think it will take some time,” said Bellew.
In April, he said he would remain with MAB to ensure the success of the turnaround plan set by Mueller.
The former Ryanair director of flight operations was brought in by Mueller as part of the MAB management team in September last year.
As for Mueller, it is not known whether he would remain on the MAB board as a non-executive director.
The airline turnaround specialist had said in April he was committed to remain on the board to see through the leadership transition and continue contributing to the implementation of the 12-point Malaysia Airlines recovery plan.
Mueller, who is also the managing director of MAB, will vacate his position in September.
The German took over the helm of the financially troubled airline on May 1 last year.
Under his leadership, MAB managed to record a small profit in the first quarter due to lower fuel prices and favourable market conditions.