KUALA LUMPUR: Over 1,000 employees of MYAirline Sdn Bhd are still in the dark on the next course of action by the airline company which has been suspended for six months. 

On top of that, the company also allegedly owed about RM14 million in salaries for affected staff and RM9 million in payments for the Employees Provident Fund for October last year until April. 

MYAirline Singapore station head Faezah Hamid told Business Times that the company's Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesian staff are all waiting for a resolution since their last meeting with MYAirline's management months back.

"Malaysian staff are facing an additional burden, as they are required to pay income tax on unpaid salaries. Moreover, some employees have been informed that they are still technically employed, despite being placed on furlough. 

"The situation is further complicated by the fact that the owner's assets have been frozen pending ongoing investigations. 

"We urgently need a resolution, as this situation not only affects us but also our families, who are dependent on us for support," she said, adding that the airline company also owed her more than S$25,000, not inclusive of her other contributions. 

In the last meeting held with the management, Faezah said MYAirline founder Datuk Allan Goh and interim accountable executive Datuk Seri Azharuddin Abdul Rahman were both present. 

The meeting was held when news of new investors were said to be onboard came up but they withdrew at the eleventh hour. 

Faezah said nothing has been said by the company since the last meeting. 

"I tried emailing to Datuk Seri Azharuddin myself. However no replies were received," she added.

Faezah said the employees were called for a meeting on Oct 7, 2023 which was done both via zoom and physically.

During the meeting, she claimed that Goh told everyone that the company was not able to pay their salary in September but was in the midst of talking to other investors. 

The last meeting that took place with management was on Oct 11. 

Faezah said this was attended by all heads of departments, commercial, revenue management, human resource, finance, operations and Goh. 

On Oct 13, Azharuddin called for a meeting whereby Faezah claimed he said he will be leading the turnover plan.

Meetings took place several times until end-November but were only attended by volunteers and investment revival groups, said Faezah.

Business Times has reached out to MYAirline for comments. 

MYAirline abruptly ceased operations on Oct 12 last year, with immediate effect, attributing the decision to financial constraints.

According to a press release by the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Maycom) dated Nov 1, 2023, over 117,000 estimated passengers were affected by MYAirline's suspension of operations with a total value of more than RM22 million in forward sales for scheduled flights from Oct 12, 2023 until March 31, 2024.

In January, sources told Bernama that MYAriline had secured and signed a sale and purchase agreement in late December last year with an investor from the Middle East.

The company then said in a statement in February that investors from the Middle East had terminated the agreement in a "sudden and unilateral" decision.

Earlier in February, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) confirmed to Business Times that MYAirline currently does not have any registered aircraft in its fleet. (link: https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2024/02/1010241/myairline-left...)

CAAM also told Business Times that it had extended the suspension of MYAirline's air operator certificate for another three months until April 14. 

In a statement on April 26, MYAirline expressed its confidence that it will fly again, despite having its right to fly  revoked on April 15. (link: https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2024/04/1043015/myairline-conf...) 

The company said it was still in talks with several interested investors and hopes to conclude an agreement in the near future.

https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2024/05/1054689/myairline-owes-over-1000-staff-rm14mil-wages-rm9mil-epf-payments