LETTER | I refer to the recent press statement by Persatuan Pengguna Pengangkutan Malaysia (4PAM) with regards to the Aviation Commission (Mavcom).

Any frequent traveller in Malaysia will know what kind of response one can expect when complaints are lodged to the airlines.

First you will get the immediate "to impress only" standard reply that your complaint has been received and forwarded to the relevant departments.

Many would agree, that would be the only reply you get if you do not follow up. Repeatedly. How frustrating is this?  

Thus, it was a positive development when Mavcom was created. But the nagging thought has always been that they would be subservient to their masters i.e., the government, if they were not independent and depended on the government for funding.

Thus I was happy to hear that passengers would be funding Mavcom and thus in all ways they would have to look after the genuine and valid interest of the customers who support them… More so in Malaysia 2.0 where the rakyat reign supreme.

To quench my curiosity I had look at their website, and was glad that this "organisation" that is accused of collecting "protection money" has got its account uploaded for public view and that too audited and certified by the auditor-general.

And uploaded too was all their activities including complaints attended to. Looking at the quality of their work we cannot but accept that rights of passengers are being looked after quite well. At least far better than before Mavcom's existence.

And I notice that 4PAM was in existence three years before Mavcom but they didn not carry out many activities. Fact is being a frequent traveller I have never heard of them.

The dearth of activities for 4PAM could be due to the fact they are a volunteer organisation and lack of funds.

Many would agree in our country funds from the government would normally have a caveat which would at times hinder the proper performance. As such, independent funding would ensure performance without fear or favour which I think is what we are all looking for.

Thus the small 'protection money' of RM1 is in this instance a worthwhile payment.

We, the consumers are paying, we are the boss and Mavcom is answerable to us. I have no argument with that in Malaysia 2.0.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.