era sains, teknologi & inovasi - Portal Rasmi Akademi Sains Malaysia

10
Oktober
2012
ASM’s Standpoint
The Malaysian
Aerospace Industry
THE significant role and contribution
of any economic sector, more so from
high technology sector, notably the
aerospace, to the country’s
development and well being will always be
under constant review. For the more
advanced countries, the review is strategically
conducted to re-examine the current
government policies and programme in
achieving higher productivity and global
competitiveness from among their players
that ultimately translate into greater benefits
to its people. For the aspiring developing
countries, Malaysia included, such a review is
primarily targeted at expanding the scope
and depths of the industry, be it commercial,
military or space. The expansion promises
greater business, technology and
employment opportunities.
By DATUK Dr. AHMAD
TASIR LOPE PIHIE FASc.
Spreading its wings
Malaysia is certainly a well established
regional player in aerospace, particularly in
passenger and freight fraternity. The legacy of
MAS and the innovative AIR ASIA are both
world class. MAS is world renowned for its
excellent award winning cabin service. Its
track record in operating its fleet of B737s is
second to none. It has now diversified itself
into MASWING to cater for specific market
niche in the ‘BIMB-EAGA’ regional growth
area. AIR ASIA is yet to find a matching rival as
the top notch in the budget airline category.
‘Now everyone can fly’ is a no-nonsence
business tagline that carries the airline name
and its unique business philosophy to millions
of individuals wherever they serve. More
recently, Skypark and its unscheduled, private
and chartered jets operating out of Subang
has yet again brought new dimension to the
aerospace industry. All of these airlines and
fixed-based operators (FBO), boosted further
by those aerospace asset from police, military,
navy and fire bridged as well as general civil
aviations and private jets, generated and
sustained a huge pool of talented pilots,
engineers, crews and technicians. It is aspiring
to note that the Malaysian Aerospace Industry
has created an employment of approximately
54,000 including more than 15,000 skills and
knowledge workers in various areas.
The aviation sub-sector itself generated
tremendous opportunities in maintenance,
repair and overhaul (MRO) of both the aerostructures
and engines. The industrial
business community should have no
hesitation in taking up the challenge to
provide quality and competitive services
given the almost ‘captive’ matured domestic
MRO market. Of course, that should only be
seen as a take-off strategy as the potentials
for global outsourcing in MRO far outweigh
that emanating domestically.
All of these, together with business brought
in through foreign airlines, in turn triggered a
commensurate growth and expansion of
airport and ground support business services.
It is heartening to observe that the expertise
and competencies of airport construction,
systems integration, and overall airport
management, specifically by the Malaysia
Airport Bhd (MAB), has followed the flight
paths of its domestic airline’s clientele and
make their presence felt at the points of
destinations abroad notably at the
International Airports in Hyderabad and New
Delhi, India and Istanbul, Turkey.
Hence, it came as no surprise that the
impressive performance of the aerospace
industry contributed significantly to the GDP.
The gross turnover of the overall aerospace
industry of Malaysia in 2011 was estimated to
be in the region of RM26.7billion.
The dedication and commitment of many
of those holding key positions at least in the
last two decades, if not longer, both in
government and industry, in moving the
industry forward through all these years,
through calm and turbulence, must be
heralded. The Aerospace Industry Council, led
no other than the YAB Prime Minister himself,
aided by his YAB Deputy and key related
Cabinet Ministers, are testimony of a very
high level government commitment to
aerospace industry. Undoubtedly, the
professional secretariat support provided by
MIGHT must have been a key success factor.
MIGHT can be seen as the overarching
institution that constantly build consensus
from both operators and regulators in
managing the complex interplay between
policy, business and technology that redefine
and reshape the industry.
The bi-annual LIMA in Langkawi is no small