We discuss how to solve MAS issue every week - Anwar

The cabinet discusses the issue of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) every week, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said today.

“Almost every week in the cabinet we discuss it without fail, on how to help save (MAS),” he said during his speech at a Khazanah Nasional event in Kuala Lumpur today.

The government is committed to saving the national airlines through any reasonable means, he added in a press conference later.

Yesterday, it was reported that a MAS plane from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Incheon International Airport, South Korea, turned back.

MCA responded to the incident by reiterating its call for Transport Minister Anthony Loke to seriously help the national carrier.

MCA Youth deputy chief Mike Chong said this was the fifth incident involving MAS since June.

Last month, MCA president Wee Ka Siong, who was the previous transport minister, urged his successor and the government to investigate and assist MAS, which he said was suffering from a “crisis of confidence”.

However, in response, Loke told him not to create panic.

Wee listed the incidents involving MAS flights since the beginning of 2023, which were:

• Jan 9, 2023 - A MAS Airbus A330 experienced a significant fuel system issue during a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Melbourne, resulting in an emergency landing in Melbourne. The aircraft landed safely and no injuries were reported.

• April 3, 2023 - A MAS flight was forced to return to Kuala Lumpur shortly after takeoff due to technical issues with the aircraft. This incident drew attention due to its erratic flight path, which was noted by both passengers and air traffic controllers.

• July 10, 2023 - A MAS flight bound for Kuching had to abort takeoff at KLIA after experiencing technical issues. The flight was delayed but all passengers were safe.

• Sept 14, 2023 - A MAS Boeing 737-800 encountered a runway excursion during takeoff at the Melbourne Airport. The aircraft continued its flight after the issue was resolved. This incident occurred just days after a similar runway excursion by a different airline at the same airport, prompting an investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

• June 20, 2024 - A flight bound for Kuala Lumpur made an emergency landing at the Hyderabad Airport in India due to an engine problem. The flight had over 100 passengers on board and all landed safely.

• June 24, 2024 - Flight MH780 from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok was forced to return to KLIA due to pressurisation issues. The aircraft made an emergency descent but landed safely.

• Aug 16, 2024 - A flight from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur had to make an emergency landing at Alice Springs, in Australia’s Northern Territory, due to engine trouble.

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