MALAYSIA SEEKS FRENCH SUPPORT FOR A SEAT IN IMO COUNCIL

By Shanti Ayadurai

PARIS, June 22 (Bernama) -– Malaysia will be seeking the support of the
French government in its bid for a council seat in the International Maritime
Organisation (IMO), said Transport Minister Kong Cho Ha.

Speaking to Malaysian journalists at the signing of an agreement between
Malaysia Airports Holding Bhd and Eurocopter at the Paris Air Show here Monday,
Kong said he would be meeting up with his French counterpart to discuss the
matter.

The IMO is a specialised agency of the United Nations with 169 member states
and three associate members.

It develops and maintains a comprehensive regulatory framework for shipping,
covering safety, environmental concerns, legal matters, technical co-operation,
maritime security and the efficiency of shipping.

Members of IMO enjoy easier access to ports worldwide.

Meanwhile, to a question on AirAsia's operations in Kota Kinabalu, Kong said
the airline would have to move to Terminal One of the Kota Kinabalu
International Airport.

"This is not the decision of the Transport Ministry. It is the decision of
the Cabinet," he said.

The low cost, no frills Air Asia has not made the move to Terminal One where
the services of an aerobridge would have to be used, saying that this would
incur extra cost and hence translate into higher fares.

-– BERNAMA