Malaysian Government rejects calls for national aviation policy

Malaysian Transport Minister, Ong Tee Keat, rejected Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia's calls for a national aviation policy, stating existing guidelines are sufficient (Malaysia Business Times, 07-May-2010). Mr Keat stated the two carriers should instead focus on improving their service quality and on-time performance levels.

Malaysian Government: "I see no reason why our home-grown airlines need to engage in this kind of verbal exchange. We [government] know what we are doing, and have been handling this [the award of traffic rights], through our rules and regulations. We have been even-handed enough in catering to their needs," Ong Tee Keat, Transport Minister. Source: Malaysia Business Times, 07-May-2010.