Bills tabled to merge Mavcom and CAAM

KUALA LUMPUR: Two Bills were tabled in Dewan Rakyat Monday (June 24) to merge the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).

The Mavcom (Dissolution) Bill and CAAM (Amendment) Bill were tabled by Deputy Transport Ministry Datuk Hasbi Habibollah and are expected to be passed before the current Dewan Rakyat meeting ends on July 18.

Among the main amendments involving the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia Act 2017 is an amendment to Section 5 which increases the size of its members by “not less than six but not more than eight other members”.

Under the proposed changes, CAAM will also include a representative from the Economy Ministry apart from representatives from the Transport and Finance Ministries.

A new Section 10a(b) also prohibits members, except with written approval of the Transport Minister, from entering into any contract of service or carrying out or being involved in any business or other activity carried on for gain in or relating to aviation services within two years of cessation of membership.

A new Section 36 was also created, covering air services licences and permits, ground handling licences and aerodrome operator licences.

Those convicted of flouting these provisions could face a fine not exceeding one million ringgit or imprisonment between three and 10 years.

The Mavcom (Dissolution) Bill will see the dissolution of the commission and the transfer of its rights, powers and funds to CAAM.

Several savings clauses were also included in the Bill which preserve the contracts and rights made via Mavcom pending their expiry.

Once the Bills are passed and enforced, Mavcom and all its personnel will be gradually integrated into CAAM by next year.

The move is aimed at reducing red tape and improving the effectiveness and efficiency of civil aviation service delivery, especially for licensing.