SUBANG: The passing of Malaysia’s first Malay pilot, Captain Hassan Ahmad, evoked an air of sorrow among former Malaysia Airlines Systems (MAS) employees at an annual gathering held here on Saturday night.
Hassan’s passing on May 18 following a medical complication was described by his former colleagues as akin to the loss of a father figure.
However, it did not signal the end of the close relationship forged over almost five decades among the airline staff.
Dr Dhilip Kumar, who was formerly MAS’ Aircraft Engineering Maintenance Planner, who was the event organiser, said the event was a tradition for the former staff to renew their bonds of friendship.
He said the gathering, compared to regular chats on social media, ensures that the friendship enjoyed by the former employees remained fresh as ever.
“I moved from MAS (now known as Malaysia Airlines Bhd) in 1984 to serve with Royal Brunei Airlines for four years until 1988.
“I continued my career with Air Niugini, which is an airline in Papua New Guinea from 1988 until 1991, before embarking on my own business.
“No matter how far I traveled, my heart remained with MAS, and this can be seen with the organisation of events such as this,” he told the NSTP.
The annual gathering was first organised in 2016, and brought together ex-MAS employees of various races and backgrounds.
The retirees, who have since named themselves ‘Friends of MH’ now number almost 500 members, spanning ex-staff from various departments including engineering, avionics, management as well as customer service.
Now in its third year, Dhilip said next year’s event promises to be a more festive occasion, with events scheduled to bring back fond memories among the former airline staff.