The Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia (DCA) has refuted the allegation that unqualified personnel from Pan Asia Pacific Aviation Services (Papas) have been conducting maintenance check on Malaysia Airlines (MAS) planes in Hong Kong.

A senior DCA official, who declined to be named, told malaysiakini that the department has requested Malaysia Airlines to conduct an investigation on the matter and found that "there is no violation of the rules."

"Hence, there is no truth in the allegation", he added.

The official said that Malaysia Airlines quality assurance department sent a letter to the DCA last week together with documented evidences that the planes were certified by qualified engineers.

"We have checked the documents and those who certified the aircraft are qualified," he said, when contacted today

"The case is now closed," he said.

An official from the Malaysia Airlines quality assurance department, who also declined to be identified, confirmed submitting the documents to DCA.

He declined to elaborate, stating that the matter is best referred to the DCA.

When contacted, the Papas personnel department declined to comment saying that "we will not conduct any interview with the media for now."

No evidence found

On Thursday, the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department clarified that an investigation was conducted and found no evidence to warrant further action against Papas.

A former Papas engineer, who identified himself as KK Hui, had alleged that the safety of passengers was at risk because under-qualified personnel were being instructed by the superior to perform maintenance check.

In letters dated June 5 and 7, sent to malaysiakini and the DCA, Hui said only engineers who passed a particular approval course, have the authority to perform rectification of defects in a given type of planes.

During their checks, the subordinates also allegedly forged the signatures of the engineers in their inspection documents.

Papas has strongly denied the allegations.

Malaysia Airlines, along with Singapore Airlines, Garuda Airlines and Royal Brunei Airlines, are key shareholders of Hong Kong-based Papas.