MALAYSIA SEEKS RE-ELECTION TO ICAO COUNCIL SEAT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is seeking re-election as council
member of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in Part Three
during the upcoming triennial 37th Session of the Assembly in September and
October.

Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat made the announcement in his
speech at the 190th Session of the ICAO Council in Montreal, Canada today.

Part Three comprises 13 countries whose designation will ensure that all
major geographic areas to the world are represented.

In a statement released here, Ong said Malaysia wanted to continue with its
positive contributions and share experiences on an international platform.

"To continue being on the ICAO Council, which consists of 36 elected member
states, is the only effective way to serve the international aviation community
as it seeks the privilege of shouldering greater responsibilities to realise the
goals of ICAO, while working towards better civil aviation industry for all," he
said.

In his address, Ong also highlighted strategic Air Navigation Safety (ANS)
programmes which made Malaysian airspace one of the safest in the region, and
the country's efforts in implementing ICAO's capacity enhancement programmes.

"Continuous Descent Approach (CDA) into (the) Kuala Lumpur Internatinal
Airport will realise potential carbon emission savings of 10 kilo tonnes and
potential savings of almost US$2 million per year," he noted.

Ong said Malaysia was willing to play a leading role in establishing an Asia
Pacific body with other council members from this region to Gonzalez.

The minister said Malaysia had been an active contributor to various
regional ICAO task forces, panels and meetings, adding that since 2006, seconded
an expert safety auditor for the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme
to its headquarters until its completion in 2010.

He said he had informed the ICAO president that Malaysia wished to send more
auditors to be trained by ICAO.

-- BERNAMA