Global search still on for new MAS CEO
BernamaPublished: Oct 3, 2014 5:47 PM | Updated: Oct 3, 2014 5:49 PM
The search for a new chief executive officer (CEO) of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is still ensuing with the net cast wider afield for the best possible person to spearhead a turnaround of the ailing national carrier, according to a source familiar with the plan.
The search for a new chief executive officer (CEO) of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is still ensuing with the net cast wider afield for the best possible person to spearhead a turnaround of the ailing national carrier, according to a source familiar with the plan.
The source said the search was being extended abroad as well even while the list of potential local candidates was still under review.
The candidates being considered would need to be a goal-getter with strong business and entrepreneurial skills coupled with aviation experience and understanding of national concerns, said the source.
He said potential candidates from adjacent aviation-related industries especially customer-focused sectors, travel and logistics, and turnaround specialists similar to the Japan Airlines (JAL) experience were also under scrutiny.
When JAL filed for bankruptcy protection in 2010 with US$25 billion debt, the Japanese government invited Kazuo Inamori who had zero experience in the aviation management to be its airline’s chairperson.
Regarded by most Japanese as ‘god of management’, Inamori managed to turnaround JAL through re-training programmes, new management and concepts.
He had the flagship airline relisted on the Tokyo Stock Exchange within three years of being in-charge.
With the open skies policy for Asean implemented in 2015, the new MAS will need a strong leader at the helm.
Meanwhile, another source said the new CEO could also come from among local candidates who have a proven track record as CEOs in their respective sectors.
In 2006, a banker, Emirsyah Satar, was hired to spearhead Garuda, the Indonesian airline, from going under.
He forged a new Garuda by driving through an aggressive restructuring plan and rebuilding the carrier’s tarnished image and despite the worst recession experienced by the global airlines industry, Satar made Garuda profitable.
Names previously mentioned as possible candidates for the position include Celcom CEO Shazalli Ramly, Axiata CEO Jamaludin Ibrahim and even Idris Jala are believed to be still in the running, especially Idris who has helmed MAS before and therefore has the experience and expertise in aviation.
The new CEO, who will replace Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, will be announced by the end of the year.
Ahmad Jauhari, whose three-year contract is slated to expire next month, will continue to lead MAS until July 1, 2015 to smoothen the transition from the old entity to the new restructured MAS.
Under the 12-point restructuring plan, a new company will be formed by July 2015 to house the new MAS, whose workforce will be downsized by 6,000 from the present 20,000.
- Bernama
The source said the search was being extended abroad as well even while the list of potential local candidates was still under review.
The candidates being considered would need to be a goal-getter with strong business and entrepreneurial skills coupled with aviation experience and understanding of national concerns, said the source.
He said potential candidates from adjacent aviation-related industries especially customer-focused sectors, travel and logistics, and turnaround specialists similar to the Japan Airlines (JAL) experience were also under scrutiny.
When JAL filed for bankruptcy protection in 2010 with US$25 billion debt, the Japanese government invited Kazuo Inamori who had zero experience in the aviation management to be its airline’s chairperson.
Regarded by most Japanese as ‘god of management’, Inamori managed to turnaround JAL through re-training programmes, new management and concepts.
He had the flagship airline relisted on the Tokyo Stock Exchange within three years of being in-charge.
With the open skies policy for Asean implemented in 2015, the new MAS will need a strong leader at the helm.
Meanwhile, another source said the new CEO could also come from among local candidates who have a proven track record as CEOs in their respective sectors.
In 2006, a banker, Emirsyah Satar, was hired to spearhead Garuda, the Indonesian airline, from going under.
He forged a new Garuda by driving through an aggressive restructuring plan and rebuilding the carrier’s tarnished image and despite the worst recession experienced by the global airlines industry, Satar made Garuda profitable.
Names previously mentioned as possible candidates for the position include Celcom CEO Shazalli Ramly, Axiata CEO Jamaludin Ibrahim and even Idris Jala are believed to be still in the running, especially Idris who has helmed MAS before and therefore has the experience and expertise in aviation.
The new CEO, who will replace Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, will be announced by the end of the year.
Ahmad Jauhari, whose three-year contract is slated to expire next month, will continue to lead MAS until July 1, 2015 to smoothen the transition from the old entity to the new restructured MAS.
Under the 12-point restructuring plan, a new company will be formed by July 2015 to house the new MAS, whose workforce will be downsized by 6,000 from the present 20,000.
- Bernama
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