MAS admits cargo unit ‘under review’
(The Malaysian Insider) – Loss-making Malaysia Airlines (MAS) confirmed today MAS Airlines Cargo’s (MASkargo) “under review” with its managing director Shahari Sulaiman on extended leave.
The Malaysian Insider reported yesterday the flag carrier is investigating allegations of kickbacks in its cargo unit that has led Shahari to go on leave since early November.
It is understood that an internal investigation report has been sent to the MAS board although the unprofitable airlines has not lodged a police report over the issue.
“We confirm that since Encik Shahari Sulaiman went on leave, his deputy, Encik Mohd Yunus Idris, assumes his responsibilities as is normally the case in most organisations.
“As part of the Business Plan to improve operational, administrative and financial management of all MAS subsidiaries, MASkargo’s operations and management structure are also under review,” it said in a response to The Malaysian Insider.
The Malaysian Insider reported that new managing director Ahmad Jauhari Yahya and the top management have been going through the books for all divisions in the national carrier that has posted losses of some RM1.2 billion in the three quarters of the current financial year.
MAS is not expected to make profits until 2013 despite a new business recovery plan.
However, it is not clear why MAS has not lodged a police report over the alleged kickbacks in MASkargo, which made a record pre-tax profit of RM142 million in 2010.
It is understood that investigations started and a domestic inquiry was done but fresh allegations revived the probe.
The Business Times had reported that Shahari has been away since early last month after fresh allegations about problems in the cargo unit.
The new MAS board had begun looking into all aspects of the airline operations after a share swap between the national carrier and Asia’s biggest budget carrier, AirAsia in early August.
