AN MCA leader said taking precautionary measures and hearing public concerns and grievances concerning Malaysia Airlines (MAS) aircrafts should not be mistaken for creating alarm as preventive action should take precedence over reactive response.

Party vice president Datuk Lawrence Low said this in response to Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook who recently cautioned his predecessor Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong to not create panic over an alleged confidence crisis in MAS after a spate of incidents involving its aircraft.

“Loke’s statements read as a dismissive response to concerns about the possible confidence crisis at MAS and its parent company Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG),” he said in a statement on Tuesday (Aug 27).

“This dismissal is not only irresponsible but also out of touch with reality. Instead of taking the opportunity to seriously address the public’s growing unease, we should be ensuring the safety and reliability of the airline rather than the status quo.”

Saying Loke’s dismissal is not only irresponsible but “out of touch with reality”, Low said Loke’s statement that there is “no reason to question the professionalism of MAG” rings hollow especially considering the recent spate of incidents involving MAS aircrafts.

“These incidents, which have led to widespread public concern, should not be brushed aside as mere fearmongering,” he stressed.

“When an airline experiences multiple technical issues in a short span of time, it is a sign that something may be wrong on a deeper level, whether it’s with the maintenance, the management, or the overall operational integrity of the company.”

Low further called Loke’s downplaying of these issues “particularly troubling” given the global aviation industry’s standards, where even minor lapses can lead to catastrophic consequences.

“His suggestion that this is simply an ‘industry-wide issue’ shared by other airlines deflects the reality of the situation,” he reckoned.

“Moreover, online reader feedback does not share Loke’s sentiments but on the contrary, have voiced concerns over MAS’ technical issues vis-à-vis passenger safety.

“The public deserves more than vague reassurances; they deserve transparency and concrete actions.”

Low said by dismissing legitimate concerns and failing to hold MAS accountable, Loke is not only undermining public trust but also potentially compromising the safety and reliability of Malaysia’s national carrier.

“We must not dismiss legitimate public concerns. It’s better to prioritise safety and transparency to avoid undermining public trust in our aviation industry and its reliability,” he added.

In a recent Facebook post, Wee had called for the government to investigate and assist Malaysia Airlines with the technical issues facing the national career after six incidents in the past two months.

He said such a scenario would ultimately affect the country’s economy and this was why the government, and particularly the Transport Ministry must assist Malaysia Airlines to prevent a repeat of similar incidents.

Wee said that Malaysia Airlines had encountered a number of incidents involving its flights since the beginning of last year.

He listed the key events as following:

Jan 9, 2023 - Malaysia Airlines Airbus A330 experienced a significant fuel system issue during a flight from KL to Melbourne resulting in an emergency landing.

April 3, 2023 - A Malaysia Airlines flight was forced to turn back to KLIA shortly after takeoff due to technical issues.

July 10, 2023 - A Kuching-bound Malaysia Airlines flight had to abort takeoff at KLIA due to technical issues.

Sept 14, 2023 - A Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-800 encountered a runaway excursion during takeoff at Melbourne Airport.

June 20, 2024 - A KL-bound Malaysia Airlines flight from India made an emergency landing at Hyderabad Airport due to an engine problem.

June 24, 2024 - A Bangkok-bound Malaysia Airlines flight was forced to turn back to KLIA due to pressurisation issues.

Aug 16, 2024 - A Malaysia Airlines flight from Melbourne made an emergency landing in Alice Springs due to engine trouble.

Aug 21, 2024 - A Shanghai-bound Malaysia Airlines flight was forced to turn back to KLIA due to pressurisation issues.

Aside from the incidents listed by Wee, it has also been reported that a Jeddah-bound Malaysia Airlines flight had to turn back to KLIA due to a technical problem.

Meanwhile on Aug 22, it was reported that a pressurisation issue forced a Medina-bound Malaysia Airlines flight to turn back to KLIA. - Aug 27, 2024

https://focusmalaysia.my/address-technical-safety-concerns-affecting-mas-aircrafts-anthony-loke-told/