MAS-AIRASIA COLLABORATION A WIN-WIN SITUATION, SAYS MASEU

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 10 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Airline System Employees
Union (MASEU) has lauded the comprehensive collaboration framework (CCF) signed
by Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MAS) and low-cost carrier AirAsia Bhd, saying
that it will lead to a win-win situation for both parties.

When contacted by Bernama, MASEU President Alias Aziz said with the new
transformation, the union would expect the new management to continue upholding
the liberty of some 20,000 workforce of the national carrier.

He said the new management should also create new chances for the union to
raise issues pertaining to the welfare of staff, which he said "currently, not
in a satisfactory level".

"The workers expect the new management to take care of our needs, especially
in the welfare segment.

"We do not have the same facilities and incentives, and I have to admit that
MAS' staff are well left behind compared to labour of other government-linked
companies in cases of housing and car loan facilities as well as medical
coverage for family members," he said.

Alias said that he and the union believed that the new management under the
helm of Chairman Mohamad Nor Yusof would be able to solve the issues.

"In the coming days, I will be personally meeting the chairman and Executive
Director Mohammed Rashdan Mohd Yusof to share some views on the transformation
of the airline.

"The main focus will be on a revision of MAS' existing heads of department
and staff's effectiveness," he said, adding that the ineffective heads should be
replaced with new, vibrant and dynamic ones.

On Tengku Datuk Seri Azmil Zahruddin Raja Abdul Aziz's resignation, Alias
said the former MAS managing director had played a significant role in
transforming and enhancing MAS since taking the post more than five years ago.

"We are sure that he will contribute more to the nation through his new
appointment in Khazanah Nasional Bhd effective Sept 12," he said.

On Tuesday, MAS and AirAsia signed the CCF which include a collaboration to
explore opportunities on a broad range of areas and to leverage on their
respective core strengths.

To strengthen the collaboration, their major shareholders - Tune Air Sdn Bhd
and and Khazanah Nasional -- agreed to acquire from each other existing shares
of the airlines.

Under the share swap deal, Tune Air will hold 20.5 per cent of MAS shares
while Khazanah Nasional will own a 10 per cent stake in the low-cost carrier.