RM50 for minor name error at check-in ridiculous, Zaid tells Mavcom

Zaid Ibrahim says the Malaysian Aviation Commission has failed to protect consumer interests, highlighting incidents of unfair charges and flight cancellations.

PETALING JAYA: Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has hit out at the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) for failing to protect the interests of consumers, citing a recent incident where he was charged RM50 for correcting a minor error in his name while checking in for a flight.

Zaid said an airline staff had insisted on charging him for the error in his booking details despite him providing sufficient identification.

“The other day, someone helped me book my flight. At the check-in counter, I was told my name did not conform with my identification card. The ‘Mohd’ was missing,” he said in a post on X today.

“I told her Zaid bin Ibrahim should be adequate. My photo was there on the identity card. She said I had to pay RM50 for the error. It’s in the rules.

“Mavcom can’t protect passengers from such simple errors? Why are airlines allowed to charge for everything that moves?”

Zaid also said that despite the presence of two regulators, Mavcom and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAAM), consumers still felt inadequately protected, especially concerning airfares and passenger rights.

He recalled another incident in which a friend had booked a flight to Japan for his family months in advance. However, he said the airline cancelled the flight and told his friend that he would receive a refund in about 90 days.

“How convenient for airlines to retime their flights all the time. All they need to say is: ‘We apologise for the inconvenience caused’.”

He asked what Mavcom had done to prevent or reduce incidents of flight rescheduling, which had caused many problems for passengers.

Zaid said these shortcomings demonstrated a need for an overhaul of Mavcom as it was not safeguarding consumer rights.

He also criticised the commission’s composition, claiming the involvement of high-powered civil servants and corporate leaders whom he suggested might have conflicting interests.

“They sit on so many boards. They are so busy. The commissioners don’t have time for ordinary people like you and me,” he said.

Zaid added that such individuals maintained close ties with airlines and their owners, intensifying potential conflicts of interest.

“Some say they are conflicted about caring for consumers’ interests as they also care for the industry. However, conflict of interest is not an essential concept in the country. Profits are,” he said.

Previously, transport minister Loke Siew Fook announced that his ministry planned to table a proposal to merge Mavcom and CAAM at the first meeting of Parliament this year. The tabling, however, did not take place.

CAAM oversees airline regulations pertaining to the licensing of aircraft, airlines, pilots and maintenance organisations and aerodromes, while Mavcom regulates economic and commercial matters relating to civil aviation.

The proposal received mixed reactions from industry players, with opponents arguing that both agencies struggle to fulfil their mandates.

Zaid also questioned the rationale for announcing fixed fares solely for Sabah and Sarawak during festive periods, advocating their extension to all destinations within the peninsula.

“Those fixed fares (to Sabah and Sarawak) are cheaper than the regular fares to Kota Bharu. Will he announce fixed fares for Kota Bharu or Kedah soon?

“Sarawak, after all, will have its airline next year. Stop the reverse discrimination now happening to us West Malaysians!” he said, referring to the Sarawak government’s takeover of MASwings.