Nungsari is new executive chairman for Mavcom
PUTRAJAYA: Economist Dr Nungsari Ahmad Radhi has replaced Tan Sri Abdullah Ahmad as executive chairman of the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom).
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said he believed Dr Nungsari, who had been a Mavcom commissioner since its start on March 1, 2016, will be able to lead Mavcom well.
“I believe he will be able to helm Mavcom, given his background as an economist and parliamentarian as well as a Mavcom commissioner,” he said, while also thanking Abdullah for his service as executive chairman.
Loke announced Dr Nungsari’s appointment at a press conference at the ministry headquarters yesterday, and presented him with the official letter of appointment.
He also said that Dr Nungsari will be given an allowance of RM15,000 per month. Abdullah received RM85,000 monthly.
Loke said the reduced amount was to streamline allowances given to chairmen of statutory bodies.
He pointed out that the allowance given to Dr Nungsari was the same as for the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), another body related to aviation.
Dr Nungsari, said Loke, will have some pressing issues to deal with as executive chairman, including over the passenger service charge (PSC) and the question of airfares for domestic flight services.
Dr Nungsari said he was humbled by the appointment.
The 58-year-old said that one of the most important matters for him as executive chairman was to increase growth for the aviation industry.
“Aviation is an internationally benchmarked industry.
“From day one you are globally benchmarked, so we have to get it to that level,” he told reporters.
Dr Nungsari was MP for Balik Pulau from 1995 until 1999 and holds a PhD in economics from Purdue University in the United States.
He is also the managing director of Minister of Finance Inc-owned Prokhas Sdn Bhd and a board member and principal officer of Pengurusan Danaharta Nasional Bhd, Syarikat Jaminan Pembiayaan Perniagaan Bhd and Syarikat Jaminan Kredit Perumahan Bhd.
Asked whether he was satisfied with his allowance, Dr Nungsari said he considered his appointment as “doing national service”.
He also said the allowance was ultimately decided by stakeholders.
“For Mavcom, it is the industry and the consumers specifically that we are accountable to, subject to the laws and policies of the Government,” he said.