I read with great interest and was totally flabbergasted to learn that MAS is looking to let go about 3,000 to 5,000 via its mutual separation scheme (MSS) to rationalise the cost structure. Apparently about 4,000 have accepted the offer. Now I am even more 'thrilled' to learn that the government is picking up the tab of RM650 million for the MSS of MAS. It's utterly ridiculous.

While any company will have to continuously review its staff force every now and then, to let nearly that much go can only mean one thing. It really makes you wonder what has been happening and what the parent company PMB (Penerbangan Malaysia Bhd) has been doing all these while.

The previous management had apparently hired every Tom, Dick and Harry in town without any due diligence or care, and the current management is going to be severely dented in its operational capability to deliver services. I sincerely hope the staff loss is not being replaced with outsourced help who may not be that reliable and experienced.

I do hope MAS gets it right as we don't want further taxpayer money be used any more then already committed. We hope MAS can operate on its own two feet (or its twin wings) without any crutches at all.

An MSS, or voluntary separation scheme, is generally not a good idea as the good ones take the package and leave and those left behind are the bad ones who may not be so marketable.