Malaysia Airlines (MAS) new chief executive officer Idris Jala should learn from budget airlines AirAsia in order to achieve its RM1 billion profit target in five years, said DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng today.

In a statement, he said that MAS has been suffering from operating losses amounting to RM109.20 million, which he attributed to the management approach and failure to hedge fuel costs in the first quarter of the year.

"To reverse MAS' losses and achieve RM1 billion profit in five years, MAS must increase revenue and cut costs. MAS net loss of RM280.70 million is alarming but so are the inefficiencies at MAS when operating expenditure for the quarter rose 28 percent to RM425 million.

"An immediate comprehensive audit of MAS expenditure should be conducted to check any abuse of funds or inefficiencies if MAS is to return to profitability," he added.

Lim also suggested that Idris make public the airlines' expenditure cost in the interest of accountability and transparency.

Joy in Sarawak

Idris was appointed as MAS' new managing director and chief executive officer effective from Dec 1. He replaced Ahmad Fuad Dahlan, who retired suddenly on Aug 22.

Idris, a Sarawakian, is currently the managing director of Shell MDS (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, the petroleum company's middle distillates plant in Sarawak.

According to reports, the Universiti Sains Malaysia graduate had worked at Shell units around the world, including the United Kingdom, Sri Lanka and Holland.

Ahmad Fuad's resignation led to reports that a foreigner could be appointed to the top post. However, Khazanah Nasional, which holds a 69.3 percent interest in the national carrier, later denied this.

Meanwhile, Sarawak's largely Christian ethnic minority group Orang Ulu are elated and quietly celebrating the appointment of Idris Jala - a Kelabit born in Bario Highlands in Baram .

Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sarawak secretary-general Freddie Acho Bian told malaysiakini that members of the chamber were proud of Idris's appointment as it has brought great honour to the community, especially the Kelabit people.

"It shows there are capable people within the community and if given the opportunity they can prove to do equally well," he said.