KUALA LUMPUR: The newly-launched Malaysia Aviation Safety Plan 2026-2028 aims to achieve a record of zero fatal accidents in commercial aviation and an International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Effective Implementation score of at least 90% by December 2028.
The plan also seeks to reduce serious incidents and runway safety events while strengthening safety reporting across the aviation sector.
Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Jana Munayan said the three-year plan provides Malaysia with a focused national framework aligned with the ICAO Global Aviation Safety Plan and the Asia-Pacific Regional Aviation Safety Plan.
"The plan translates ambition into measurable action," he said when launching the plan on behalf of Minister Anthony Loke at the Malaysia Aviation Safety Seminar 2026 (MASS’26) here on Thursday (Sept 10).
"Its objectives include maintaining zero fatal accidents in commercial aviation, achieving an ICAO Effective Implementation score of at least 90% by December 2028, reducing serious incidents and runway safety events, and strengthening safety reporting," he said.
Jana said increased safety reporting should not be interpreted as evidence that the aviation system was becoming less safe.
Instead, a healthy reporting culture would provide greater visibility of potential hazards and allow authorities and industry players to intervene before an occurrence escalated into an accident, he explained.
"People must be able to report safety concerns responsibly and with confidence that the information will be used to improve the system," he said.
Jana also said the government’s aviation safety commitment would have three priorities: maintaining a capable and effective regulator; ensuring safety performance is measurable and transparent; and keeping regulations abreast of technological developments.
He said risk-based oversight needs qualified technical professionals, reliable systems and sustained institutional capacity, and the ministry would continue supporting the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) in strengthening and retaining these capabilities.
Clear indicators, credible data and timely reporting were also necessary to identify risks earlier and direct resources where they were most needed, he said.
On emerging technologies, Jana said automation and autonomous systems could improve situational awareness, decision-making and operational efficiency but could also create new cybersecurity, human factor and technological dependency risks.
"Innovation must therefore advance together with strong governance, assurance and accountability," he said.
Jana said Malaysia regarded aviation safety as a national priority as it protects lives, maintains public confidence and supports tourism, trade, investment and connectivity.
He added that aviation’s strong safety record should not be taken for granted, as it depends upon sustained investment, strong institutions, professional competence and the willingness to learn from incidents.
"Safety is therefore not simply a standard that we achieve once.
"It is a discipline that must be practised every day, on every flight and across every part of the aviation system," he said.
MASS’26 is organised by CAAM, with the US Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing among its partners.
