Mavcom denies testing RM35 million aircraft

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) has dismissed allegation of its involvement in testing a controversial RM35 million DA424M-NG Diamond special mission aircraft intended for use by the Sarawak Forestry Department (SFD).

It denied that it had communicated with SFD or had any responsibility in conducting technical testing of the aircraft, which had prompted Sarawak PKR to lodge a report.

“Mavcom has not had any communication with the department and is not responsible for the technical testing of the aircraft, as stated in these reports.

“Mavcom is an independent body that regulates economic and commercial matters related to civil aviation.

“Mavcom’s goal is to promote a commercially viable, consumeroriented and resilient aviation industry that supports the nation’s economic growth.

“Technical regulations for general aviation fall under the Civil Aviation Act 1969, which is not within Mavcom’s purview,” it said in a statement yesterday.

Mavcom was refuting a June 7 article titled “Forest Department Sarawak will be able to fly soon” by Dayak Daily, which had said the commission was carrying out testing of the diesel-powered four-seater aircraft.

The news portal reported that the department had bought the special fixed-wing airplane through an allocation by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry.

The article said the aircraft would be managed and maintained by Hornbill Skyways.

It was reported on Saturday that Sarawak PKR vice-chairman See Chee How lodged a report at the Kuching district police headquarters calling for an immediate probe into the state government’s purchase of the aircraft.

The Batu Lintang assemblyman raised questions about the purchase, which was reported to have been made using money from the ministry.

It was reported that former minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar was ready to cooperate with the authorities over the issue.