KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 – The Malaysian Parliament has passed the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Dissolution) Bill 2024, leading to the dissolution of MAVCOM. Consequently, all of MAVCOM’s assets and responsibilities will be transferred to the Civil Aviation Authority Malaysia (CAAM) under the Ministry of Transport (MOT). The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) has expressed grave disappointment over this development, reiterating its opposition to the merger initially voiced in December 2019.
CAP, along with several Opposition MPs, raised concerns about national security and the loss of an essential check-and-balance system, particularly highlighting the impact on airline consumer protection. CAP emphasized MAVCOM’s role in safeguarding airline consumers through the Malaysian Aviation Consumer Protection Code 2016 (MACPC), which addressed various consumer complaints, and its 2019 amendments that tackled hidden charges and misleading advertisements.
CAP highlighted recent issues such as airlines reselling canceled flight seats, denying cash refunds, and enforcing expiring airline credits, along with the challenges faced by consumers booking through tour agencies. With MAVCOM’s dissolution, CAP questions the future of proposed amendments to the MACPC that were under consideration, stressing the importance of continued robust consumer protection in the aviation sector.
