Time To Sell Malaysia Airlines To The Highest Bidder


 

I probably shouldn’t join the crowd piling on to Malaysia Airlines’ latest misery. After all, there’s guaranteed to be another miserable episode down the road soon.
But then, where’s the fun in that! Let’s kick a guy when he’s down! It’s the Malaysian way.
Anyway, civil aviation was a highly nationalistic and protected field years ago, when the air was crowded with national flag carriers, and ominous stuff like 
fifth freedom flights and such, which by the way had nothing to do with Star Wars.
However, the worst days of protectionism are mostly over. Many of the national carriers, including grand old names such as British Airways, Lufthansa, etc, are no longer state-owned.For other state-owned flag carriers, their existence is often a series of regular near-death experiences punctuated by huge government bailouts.
Among such carriers are venerable names such as Japan Airlines, Thai Airways, Air India, and of course our very own Malaysia Airlines.
There are a few exceptions certainly, including Singapore International Airlines (SIA), the flag carrier of our neighbour down south. Others are the national airlines of the oil-rich nations of the Persian Gulf.
Some of these Gulf airlines dominate international air travel to such an extent that even the Americans, supposedly free-market advocates, get conniptions.
Emirates example
Let’s be clear though about how such airlines, especially Emirates, have flourished.
When Emirates was set up, its main objective wasn’t just to serve the people of Dubai, a territory not even the size of Negeri Sembilan, one that certainly didn’t need air travel.
It was to help turn Dubai into a global city by making it a critical aviation hub, Dubai being located on the lucrative Kangaroo Route connecting Europe to Australia.
It didn’t hurt to have a pragmatic government willing to put the best people possible in charge. Tim Clark, a Brit who is the long-time president of Emirates, has run the airline so well he’s now an icon in the industry, whose word can shake the halls of Airbus and Boeing.
I met a senior leader of Emirates many years ago who told me that 96% of Emirates staff were expatriates. This is one example of the pragmatism I’m talking about.
Most of these staff do the boring but necessary work such as handling customers, whether on the ground or in the air.
Role of engineers
However, there are many – and in this group there are many Malaysians – who do the critical job of flying and perhaps the even more critical engineering job of keeping the aircraft flying.
It’s often said that engineers own the aircraft, and only reluctantly lend them to the pilots. Engineers are certainly the key players in the latest saga in the chronicles of Malaysian aviation
Malaysia Airlines recently lost a large number of engineering staff to newly-set up aviation engineering operations, including some owned by rivals such as SIA.
Unsurprisingly this explains the hysterical claims of sabotage by politicians opposed to the decision to allow such businesses to be set up in Malaysia.
On govt ownership
A more important topic, however, is whether we should even keep Malaysia Airlines as a government-owned company at all.
My simple answer: No.
Malaysia Airlines has been a political football for decades, with its most infamous episode being the privatisation of MAS to political cronies in 1994.
That failed spectacularly, though the cronies involved didn’t suffer too badly. They got back their money – our money actually – in spite of being absolute failures.
Since then, the amount of taxpayers money thrown into this bottomless pit has run to over RM28 billion, or almost a thousand ringgit for each of Malaysia’s citizens.
Too many parasites
What have we got for the money? A stumbling and failing airline that, as regular as clockwork, needs more bailouts.
In Malaysia’s corrupt and toxic political environment, the chances of Malaysia Airlines succeeding come up to zero. There are too many parasites – cronies and the privileged elites – who will fight to protect their interest in feeding off the airline.
I’m not talking about the staff, even if their number, motivation and even their skills and qualifications are in question.
I’m not a big fan of the narrative of how great Malaysia Airlines used to be in the Good Old Days. You can’t really compare the time when aviation was less of a cut-throat business and more of a jealously-protected and often nationalised industry.
A breed apart
Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t. But since those days, it has certainly been a dismal failure. Losing so many trained and critical engineers at one go is but the latest of its debilitating mishaps.
Aircraft engineers are a breed apart. They don’t come from universities but are rigorously trained until they get to hold the coveted rank of licensed aircraft engineer, at which point the whole world is their oyster.
That MAS still had so many of such engineers who hadn’t gone to work elsewhere is a miracle by itself.
Malaysia has so many good things going for it. Our aviation professionals are highly respected. We have a huge airport in Kuala Lumpur International Airport which has something that many other airports lack – excess capacity. We now also have Subang airport, finally waking up from its slumber.
The priorities
What Malaysia should care about is to have safe, affordable air travel provided by private, competitive Malaysian companies such as AirAsia, the largest low-cost carrier in Asia, with a track record of over two decades.
In AirAsia’s early days, there was some help from the government, but it’s nothing compared to what Malaysia Airlines got. Although AirAsia is still suffering from the Covid hangover, and occasionally shoot themselves in the foot, at least their finances are not our problem.
So, sell Malaysia Airlines to the highest bidder who’s prepared to run it as a viable business. Make one last generous gift to make sure the staff who may be laid off are fairly treated. That’ll still be cheaper than the never-ending bailouts.
Let the new owners deal with the parasites and cronies and hangers-on. We shouldn’t have to care as it will no longer be our money they’re feasting on.
Foreign companies setting up operations here invest hundreds of millions of ringgit and employ many Malaysians. Sure, they’ll repatriate their profits, but they can’t just close shop and leave. They need us as much as we need them.
We should be less concerned about having a failing national flag carrier and be more concerned about creating an aviation-friendly business environment that can attract investments and create jobs.
Pragmatic outlook
Look at how we wasted billions to create a national car, whereas Thailand didn’t bother but created a national car industry that now employs close to a million workers and is among the top 10 car exporters in the world.
Be like the Thais – keep our fragile egos in check and focus on what’s really important: to give the rakyat affordable and safe air travel; bring in even more tourists and transit passengers; and create centres of excellence for the aviation industry.
For this to happen, we need to get over this silly and expensive pride about a national flag carrier, a pride that many other nations have got over years ago.
Over the last few decades, there hasn’t been much to be proud of with our flag carrier, while there has been plenty to be angry and ashamed of.
Every single ringgit that goes to prop up Malaysia Airlines is a ringgit that doesn’t go to the poor and the needy who need it more. I certainly can’t, and won’t, offer my blessing to such wastage.
It’s time we moved on. - FMT
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.


Artikel ini hanyalah simpanan cache dari url asal penulis yang berkebarangkalian sudah terlalu lama atau sudah dibuang :

http://malaysiansmustknowthetruth.blogspot.com/2024/09/time-to-sell-malaysia-airlines-to.html

Kempen Promosi dan Iklan
Kami memerlukan jasa baik anda untuk menyokong kempen pengiklanan dalam website kami. Serba sedikit anda telah membantu kami untuk mengekalkan servis percuma aggregating ini kepada semua.

Anda juga boleh memberikan sumbangan anda kepada kami dengan menghubungi kami di sini
Take Home The Vivo V40 V40 Pro For Free With Malaysia S Leading Telco Providers

Take Home The Vivo V40 V40 Pro For Free With Malaysia S Leading Telco Providers

papar berkaitan - pada 12/9/2024 - jumlah : 217 hits
Enjoy the vivo V40 Series with Exclusive Deals from Top Malaysian Telcos vivo Malaysia is now offering exceptional deals to all Malaysians with exciting partnerships with local telco providers Now everyone can enjoy and experience the lates...
Marriott International Celebrates Its 50th Property In Malaysia With The Debut Of The Penang Marriott Complex

Marriott International Celebrates Its 50th Property In Malaysia With The Debut Of The Penang Marriott Complex

papar berkaitan - pada 10/9/2024 - jumlah : 288 hits
This landmark development is comprised of three distinguished properties Penang Marriott Hotel Marriott Executive Apartments Penang and Marriott Residences Penang Guest of Honor T Y T Tun Dato Seri Utama Ahmad Fuzi bin Haji Abdul Razak Gove...
Malaysia Airlines Bring Us Back To Those Happy Days

Malaysia Airlines Bring Us Back To Those Happy Days

papar berkaitan - pada 4/9/2024 - jumlah : 146 hits
Sept 4 In his column today Zainul Arifin didn t ask for heads to roll The seasoned business journalist merely asked that the people helming the national carrier the MAG or better still Khazanah Nasional do a better job at telling us what is...
Anwar Claims Previous Govt S Non Transparent Decisions Let Cronies Destroy Companies Including Malaysia Airlines

Anwar Claims Previous Govt S Non Transparent Decisions Let Cronies Destroy Companies Including Malaysia Airlines

papar berkaitan - pada 4/9/2024 - jumlah : 175 hits
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim claimed that the non transparent decisions made by the previous administration had given opportunities for several cronies to destroy companies particularly those that are the symbols and pride of the...
Malaysia S 5g Network And The Geopolitical Battle For Influence

Malaysia S 5g Network And The Geopolitical Battle For Influence

papar berkaitan - pada 16/9/2024 - jumlah : 272 hits
From Amir KhaledAs Malaysia advances with its dual 5G network rollout the race for the second network has intensified both local competition and international tensions As reported on Aug 23 Maxis Bhd is emerging as a potential front runner ...
Taeyang Bakal Lawat Malaysia Untuk Konsert The Light Year Pada Disember Nanti

Taeyang Bakal Lawat Malaysia Untuk Konsert The Light Year Pada Disember Nanti

papar berkaitan - pada 4/9/2024 - jumlah : 120 hits
Ada berita gembira buat V I P di Malaysia Artikel Berkaitan Terbaru Taeyang telah mengumumkan konsert jelajahnya The Light Year yang akan diadakan di Kuala Lumpur Menerusi poster yang dikongsi penyanyi itu akan melawat Malaysia pada 7 Disem...
Gisb Has A Column Of Staunch Loyal Supporters Within The Highest Echelons Of Government

Gisb Has A Column Of Staunch Loyal Supporters Within The Highest Echelons Of Government

papar berkaitan - pada 14/9/2024 - jumlah : 211 hits
This group challenges the influence IKRAM within government Murray Hunter Over the last day it s become very evident that there are many within the executive government civil service JAKIM police education sector and military who are loyal ...
Malaysia Day Message From Sam The Ceo

Malaysia Day Message From Sam The Ceo

papar berkaitan - pada 17/9/2024 - jumlah : 255 hits
Here are two Malaysia Day messages 1 The first one is a short quip from Norman Fernandez To each Selamat Hari Malaysia felicitation I received my response has been Selamatkan Malaysia There will be no Hari Malaysia in the future if we do no...
Who S To Blame For Turbulence In Malaysia Airlines

Who S To Blame For Turbulence In Malaysia Airlines

papar berkaitan - pada 6/9/2024 - jumlah : 180 hits
No discussion about Malaysia Airlines can be meaningful without a clear understanding of its colourful past Once among the top airlines in the region MH has now succumbed to the status of a sick man of the aviation world The decline began i...
Sindiran Raja Melayu Kepada Menteri Pelancongan Seni Budaya

Resepi Donut Tanpa Telur

Kedah Menyelongkar Tamadun Kedah Tua Di Tapak Arkeologi Sungai Batu

New Ai Features And More For Android And Pixel

How To Begin An Online Casino In 2024 A Step By Step Guid

If Zahid Betrays Anwar It Will Be Anwar S Fault More Than Zahid

10 Kipas Siling Terbaik Laju 2024

Ramadan And Hari Raya Get A Culinary Makeover With Aussie Lamb


echo '';
Info Dan Sinopsis Drama Berepisod Marina 2024 Di Aplikasi Tonton

Info Dan Sinopsis Drama Berepisod Berbahagi Suami Slot Tiara Astro Prima Adaptasi Siri Indonesia Berbagi Suami The Series

Senarai Lagu Tugasan Konsert Minggu 3 Gegar Vaganza 2024 Musim 11

Keputusan Markah Peserta Konsert Minggu 2 Gegar Vaganza 2024 Musim 11

Bagaimana Paradoks Pilihan Membuatkan Kita Jadi Takut Buat Keputusan


Hikmah Tular Penjual Es Teh Indonesia Dihina Pendakwah

The Unique Appeal Of Winfield Optimum Crush For Modern Smokers

Mayat Warganegara Asing Dipercayai Dibunuh Ditemukan Dalam Kereta

Penyokong Mengkritik Liverpool Hilang Sabar Segera Mahu Cari Pengganti Nunez

Certot Asam Keping

Sarapan English Breakfast Di Cafe Salim