By Amar Shah Mohsen
SHAH ALAM, June 28 — Gombak MP Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari is proposing that the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia’s (CAAM) role be expanded to include aircraft registration as a means to increase its revenue.
The Selangor Menteri Besar pointed out that today, the technical regulatory body’s power to issue licences is only limited to aviation services and does not include machinery, particularly those assembled in Malaysia.
By expanding its functions, Amirudin said it could help generate millions of ringgit in additional income.
“One important issue, in terms of industry management, that I feel needs review is our failure to serve as a hub for aircraft registration. This oversight involves millions of ringgit in value,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday.
He made this proposal during the winding up session by Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook on the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (Amendment) Bill 2024, which sought to amend the CAAM Act 2017 to allow the transfer of the functions of the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom), which will be dissolved.
The Bill was passed with a simple voice vote.
Commenting further, Amirudin said it is unfortunate that plane registration is not yet available in Malaysia despite the country being a hub for aircraft parts assembly.
“I believe that if we allow this in the future, it will offer CAAM the opportunity to generate income and open up opportunities in terms of local expertise, especially as many of the aircraft registrations today are currently done in neighbouring countries.
“I suggest that the government explore this proposal in the future.”
Selangor has been massively instrumental in the country’s aerospace industry, contributing a whopping 67 per cent of the overall sector’s economy.
The state has also set its sights on becoming the region’s preferred aerospace, business and general aviation hub, aiming to create an environment that fosters innovation, collaboration and growth in the sector.
