Loke: Mavcom chief earns RM85k monthly from flight passengers

File photo of Mavcom executive chairman Gen (R) Tan Sri Abdullah Ahmad.

PUTRAJAYA: Transport Minister Anthony Loke revealed that the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) executive chairman earns about RM85,000 a month - and it comes from money paid by flight passengers.

He said that this is over four times what the Prime Minister himself earns.

The Government will be reviewing the salaries of all chairmen of statutory bodies and government-linked companies.

Loke said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad instructed the salary review after it was revealed that the Mavcom chief's monthly salary and allowance totalled RM78,300 in 2016.

"There was a 3% increment in 2017, and a further 5% increment in 2018, so he is earning about RM85,000 a month," said Loke at a press conference Wednesday (May 30).

"That is more than what the prime minister earns. His basic salary is just about RM20,000 (a month).

"I raised this in the Cabinet meeting this morning and the Prime Minister has directed the Chief Secretary to the Government (Tan Sri Ali Hamsa) to review all salaries – not just of the Mavcom chairman, but also chairmen of other statutory bodies and GLCs," said Loke.

Mavcom's current executive chairman is Gen (R) Tan Sri Abdullah Ahmad.

Loke said the Trnasport Ministry has no immediate plans to abolish Mavcom, which was set up in 2016.

"Mavcom is funded by passengers, not the Government.

"It received an initial funding of RM90mil from the Government, but no additional grant was given after that.

"Their estimated collection – RM1 from each passenger – is RM35mil per annum. Their operational cost is RM25mil a year," said Loke.