23/04/2025

BIZ & FINANCE WEDNESDAY | APR 23, 2025

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Mavcom: Complaints up in second half of last year

Investors express confidence in Johor-Singapore SEZ JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) has seen numerous investors expressing strong confidence in its significant potential. Daniel Chua, senior vice-president at Singapore-based GP Energy Tech International Pte Ltd, expressed optimism about the business opportunities that JS-SEZ provides, particularly in advanced manufacturing and digitalisation. He said the company, which will be investing US$150 million (RM658 million) to establish a nickel-based manufacturing facility and research and development centre in the economic zone, is expected to contribute significantly to the region’s energy and technology sectors with an estimated 180 to 200 skilled job opportunities created over the next few years. “When we look at JS-SEZ, the various areas that the government is pushing towards, for example, advanced manufacturing, digital isation, and improving the logistics systems, I think all this has helped us put a lot more advanced manufacturing ideas into our manufacturing plants,” he told Bernama on the sidelines of the JS-SEZ Joint Business and Investment Forum at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre, here yesterday. Chua said the manufacturing facility is scheduled to begin operations next year. GP Energy Tech is a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based Gold Peak Technology Group Ltd, Meanwhile, Agro Snow Malaysia Sdn Bhd is also capitalising on these strategic advantages by establishing its plant protein manu facturing facility in Tanjung Langsat. Agro Snow is a joint venture between Agrocorp International and Megmilk Snow Brand, one of the largest dairy companies in Japan. Singapore-based agricultural firm Agrocorp International’s chief executive, Vishal Vijay, said the company is excited to be part of the JS-SEZ as they have a factory coming up in the Tanjung Langsat area. He said the factory is located in a great location and gives them access to highly skilled labour and all the utilities needed. The facility is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2026. KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) reported that the automotive sector’s total industry volume (TIV) rose by 12% month-on-month in March 2025 to 72,704 units compared to 65,061 units in February. “The higher TIV growth can be attributed to the Hari Raya festive celebration and attractive promotional offers from automotive companies,” it said in a statement yesterday. On a year-on-year basis, MAA said the TIV also improved by two per cent from the 71,199 units recorded in March 2024. The association noted that a total of 58,063 vehicles were produced in March this year, down 13% from the same month last year. It said passenger vehicles accounted for 55,301 units, while commercial vehicles accounted for 2,762 units. On the industry’s outlook, MAA expects the TIV for April to be lower than March due to the long Hari Raya celebration break during the first week of the month. – Bernama Automotive sector TIV in March rises to 72,704 units

Among airports, KL International Airport Terminal 1 recorded the highest number of complaints with 13 cases, followed by KL International Airport Terminal 2 with six complaints - the majority of these primarily involved airport facilities. In terms of complaint resolution by domestic airlines, AirAsia, AirAsia X, Batik Air, Firefly, Malaysia Airlines, and MASwings successfully met the 90% resolution target for closing complaints within 30 days. In contrast, foreign airlines reported a resolution rate of 54%, highlighting there were still areas for improvement to ensure higher consumer satisfaction. Additionally, 32 grievances involving airports were resolved within the 30 day timeframe, reflecting continued efforts to address consumer issues promptly. Notably, 99% of all complaints received by Mavcom were successfully resolved, with 37% of these cases resulting in airlines reversing their initial decisions in favour of consumers. In a statement yesterday, Mavcom said it continued to monitor airline operational performance based on key metrics, including on-time performance (OTP), which requires at least 85% of flights to depart within 15 minutes of the scheduled time of departure each month. In H2’24, AirAsia, AirAsia X, Batik Air, and Malaysia Airlines did not meet the 85% OTP target for international flights. For domestic routes, Malaysia Airlines achieved the OTP targets from October to December 2024, while AirAsia X met its target from August to November 2024. However, it is noted that other airlines did not reach the 85% OTP benchmark during this period. The performance of Malaysia’s airports is observed by Mavcom through the Airports

Quality of Service Framework, which comprises 28 service quality elements grouped under four service quality categories, including passenger comfort and facilities, passenger and baggage flows, operator equipment and staff facilities, and queuing times. The performance of Malaysia’s airports under this framework is anchored on four key measurement mechanisms. These include independent inspections at airports, passenger surveys, data provided by airport operators regarding specific performance assessment indicators, and the availability of equipment and operator. This information allows Mavcom to determine whether the targets are being met. “As air travel continues to rebound, it is crucial that the industry not only meets growing demand but also upholds the rights of consumers. The enhancements to the Malaysian Aviation Consumer Protection Code 2016 and our monitoring efforts are designed to ensure consumers are better protected and informed,” said Mavcom executive chairman Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kasim. He added, “We urge all aviation players to place consumer needs at the forefront, particularly in resolving complaints effectively. Our survey findings indicate a positive trend in consumer awareness of their rights and improvement in the resolution efforts by Malaysian carriers. “However, there is always room for more improvement. Continued collective effort by the aviation industry is necessary to further elevate consumer knowledge and protection. Mavcom remains committed to further enhancing public education and outreach efforts to ensure that consumers are well informed and empowered throughout their air travel experience.”

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Aviation Commission’s (Mavcom) 17th Bi-Annual Consumer Report saw a rise in complaints received in the second half of 2024 (H2’24) as it continued efforts to bolster consumer protection while monitoring airline and airport service levels. From July to December 2024, Mavcom received 2,613 complaints, a 34% increase compared to 1,948 complaints in the corres ponding period in 2023 (H2’23). Of the total, 2,581 complaints (99%) were on airlines, while the remaining 32 complaints (1%) involved airport services. The grievances were pre dominantly centered around flight cancel lations, delays and rescheduling, which col lectively comprised 53% of the total. Malaysia Airlines accounted for the highest number of complaints at 921, followed by AirAsia with 611 and Batik Air with 437. For every one million passengers carried, Firefly received the highest number of registered complaints with 256 complaints, followed by Malaysia Airlines with 142 complaints, and Batik Air with 111 complaints. o Of the 2,613 reports in July to December, 99% were on airlines, with grievances centered on flight cancellations, delays and rescheduling entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on businesses, especially MSMEs, aligned with the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). An MoU exchange ceremony was held recently in conjunction with the JS-SEZ Joint Business and Investment Forum, between Maybank president and group CEO Datuk Khairussaleh Ramli and PUJB CEO Mohd Radzi Mohd Amin. Both parties aim to bridge key gaps by offering tailored banking and beyond banking solutions including halal facilitation services, supply chain financing, capacity building programmes and strategic advisory services. Khairussaleh said the collaboration under scores Maybank’s commitment in supporting local entrepreneurs and to work closely with PUJB and Johor to strengthen the local MSME ecosystem. This is in line with the JS-SEZ key economic focus efforts to ensure that local businesses will greatly benefit from new investments and economic growth. He said the partnership will play a catalytic role in advancing business growth and investments in the JS-SEZ covering over 60,000 local MSME entrepreneurs who are currently part of PUJB’s ecosystem. “With JS-SEZ’s focus on halal (industry), this partnership with PUJB will also contribute towards the development and positioning of JS SEZ as the preferred regional and global halal hub. Our strong global Islamic banking

Maybank, PUJB join forces to support Johor entrepreneurs PETALING JAYA: Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) and Perbadanan Usahawan Johor Sdn Bhd (PUJB) have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on strengthening support for the state’s

Mohd Radzi (left) and Khairussaleh at a ceremony to exchange MoUs between PUJB and Maybank.

delivering its M25+ strategic thrusts, of which one of them is to strengthen global Islamic banking leadership through a number of business drivers, and at the same time being a major player in the robust and dynamic halal sector in Malaysia and globally. Mohd Radzi said: “PUJB is committed to leading the development of a competitive and inclusive entrepreneurial and cooperative ecosystem including empowering youth, women, and rural communities through training, mentoring, access to modern technology, as well as financing and infrastructure support for shared economic prosperity.”

experience has strategically positioned us to assist in not only providing syariah-compliant financing solutions, but also enables us access to the halal ecosystem and marketplace for businesses,” said Khairussaleh. Since September 2023, Maybank Islamic has guided 360 MSMEs in their halal certification journey under its Halal Facilitation Programme. The programme will be extended to benefit not only local entrepreneurs but also foreign investors in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics sectors who are seeking entry into the halal market. Khairussaleh said Maybank is committed to