Liow: So-called Monspace Sky Airlines has not been approved

KUALA LUMPUR: The Government has not approved any new airline in the country, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

He was referring to a news report on a local portal of the “inaugural flight” of one Monspace Sky Airlines.

“I have not heard of this airline,” he told reporters after the Budget 2017 Workshop at Wisma MCA yesterday.

Liow said the Department of Civil Aviation had only approved the Air Operator’s Certificate for the chartered Suasa Air but it could not operate yet because it had not obtained an Air Service Permit to transport passengers.

However, Liow said he had heard that the company was linked to a Monspace entity.

One of Monspace’s operators had acted as a spokesman for Chinese national Zhang Jian, who made headlines in Malaysia after huge signboards proclaiming himself as “The future richest person in the world” were put up in Penang two years ago.

Zhang Jian, who founded Yun Shu Mao – better known as YSLM or CDTUP in Malaysia – left the country after the Government cracked down on his multi-level marketing scheme.

He then moved his base to Thailand where he was reportedly arrested and jailed. His current whereabouts are unknown.

Laksou.com reported that the airline launched its inaugural flight from KL International Airport (KLIA) to Langkawi on Friday. The report also said that singer Shila Amzah was present at the launch ceremony.

According to the company’s website, it is a private airline in Malaysia and currently operates from KLIA.