SEPANG: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today has called on Malaysia Airlines to learn from past mistakes to ensure a more resilient and successful future for the national carrier.
Anwar said the flag carrier of Malaysia has an excellent track record and was recognised internationally.
"Under this Madani administration, I have repeatedly stressed good governance and the need for a clear vision and mission in managing with diligence, frugality and trustworthiness that cannot be neglected, by benefiting oneself or certain groups
"I was the finance minister then when I witnessed the moment of its potential collapse.
"Not only myself, but the then treasury secretary-general reminded me of the dangers of the transition of the Malaysia Airlines privatisation that was not transparent," he said in his speech at the launch of MAB Academy and Flight Simulator Centre groundbreaking ceremony today.
Anwar said despite of what happened in the past, the staff and professionals which help to build the national flag carrier should be compensated for their immense contributions.
"Now, some of the opposition members are looking down on our efforts for good governance and strict measures against corruption.
"What's the effect of this? The country is in huge debt, Malaysia Airlines' name was tarnished and staff from management, pilots and staff were all affected by not receiving the compensation they duly deserved.
"What fault did the pilots do, the flight attendants as well as the technical engineers? They did their best, but were not compensated with the salary they deserved," he said.
Present at the event were Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Deputy Local Government Development Minister Aiman Athirah, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) chairman Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin and its group managing director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail.
He said Malaysia Airlines must be managed accordingly and transparently for the benefit of its workforce.
"Give proper focus and avoid leakages by looking at past experiences. Let's prove to the nation, people and the international community that we will be able to raise the dignity of the company globally if it is managed accordingly," he said.
In his speech, Anwar praised MAG and Khazanah Nasional Bhd for turning the airline around to make it profitable.
He also shared that Loke during weekly cabinet meetings continues to report on the airline and calls for continuous support.
On the academy, MAG has relocated its training arm campus from Kelana Jaya to Sepang on Dec 15, 2023.
The 1.8ha site will house state-of-the-art facilities, including its very own flight simulator centre, swimming pool for safety and emergency training, and other service-oriented training facilities as it looks to further enhance its position as a comprehensive one-stop aviation and hospitality centre of excellence for the region.