Who is the CEO of MAS?

It would appear that the defacto CEO of MAS is Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, who is also the Deputy CEO of AirAsia Bhd and recently appointed Non-Executive Director of MAS after the secret MAS – AirAsia share swap was inked on 9-8-2011.  Yours truly was surprised that a Non-Executive Director of MAS was speaking as though he is the CEO of MAS.  Even the powerful En Mohammed Rashdan Yusof, the whiz kid and Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar‘s former business partner in BinaFikir Sdn Bhd, is extremely tame after the appointment of En Ahmad Jauhari as the CEO of MAS.

Its about time for En Ahmad Jauhari to put his foot down and tell other MAS directors in no uncertain terms that he is now the man in charge of MAS and the only person to speak on behalf of MAS unless directed to do so.

In the Business Times’ interview, Datuk Kamarudin Meranun has been quoted to have said the followings:

“Standard practice in MAS is for a new aircraft to start flying within three months of delivery. AirAsia, on the other hand, starts flights one or two days after taking delivery of an aircraft.”

Yours truly was not so sure whether Datuk Kamarudin Meranun made the above statement in the best interest of MAS or Air-Asia.  However, the general tenor of Datuk Kamarudin Meranun statements in this Business Times’ report clearly shows the “ACTUAL SPIRITS” of the MAS – AirAsia share swap and the so-called “Collaborative Framework” that were shrouded with utmost secrecy. You are the judge. 

Below is the full texts of the Business Times online dated 20-11-2011.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is reconfiguring the seats of its first A380 aircraft to fit in more first and business class passengers, says a director and major shareholder.

MAS non-independent non-executive director Datuk Kamarudin Meranun said the airline is working hard to ensure there is not much delay in the delivery date due to the reconfiguration work.

“It (MAS’ first A380 out of six ordered) could come in a month or so later. I don’t think you can really call that a delay,” Kamarudin told Business Times via telephone yesterday.

Standard practice in MAS is for a new aircraft to start flying within three months of delivery. AirAsia, on the other hand, starts flights one or two days after taking delivery of an aircraft.

This confirms a Business Times report last week that MAS had planned to reconfigure seats for its A380 and that this could cause a delay in the delivery of the aircraft.

“We are working to ensure that there are no delays to launching the A380 (in July 2012).

“This is where the strength of the MAS-AirAsia strategic alliance will help us leverage with the manufacturers,” Kamarudin said.

He declined to elaborate on the new configuration of the A380, only saying that “it will be comparable to other premium airlines”.

According to a report last year, the MAS A380s would be configured to have four classes – 420 economy seats, 26 premium economy seats, 54 business seats and eight first class seats.

On Firefly’s operations, Kamarudin said the airline will maintain its turboprop service out of Subang but phase out its loss-making jet operations.

“In pursuit of the rationalisation of MAS’ operations, we will be phasing out Firefly’s jet operations. Those who had made bookings with Firefly will not lose out as MAS will honour those deals.”

No timeline has been given but it is understood that Firefly’s jet operations will cease by the year-end.

Firefly has a fleet of eight jet aircraft – six Boeing 737-800s and two Boeing 737-400s.

Read HERE for the Business Times report.