Liow: Bellew's departure 'unexpected'

The decision of Malaysia Airlines' (MAS) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Peter Bellew, to rejoin Ireland-based Ryanair Holdings plc, is unexpected, but it will not affect the national carrier's transformation agenda.

Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, said the ministry has not received any 'hint' about Bellew's departure, and was still waiting for the full report from MAS.

"It is (shocking), because I did not receive any hint. So I would like to find out details first because I do not have the report from Malaysia Airlines.

"But we are confident MAS' transformation would continue, irrespective of who is going to be the next CEO or COO (Chief Operations Officer), MAS' transformation is on the agenda.

READ: 'Zero interference' - Bellew clarifies his reasons for exiting Malaysia Airlines

"We are doing all right, MAS is doing okay," he told reporters during the Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI) Deepavali Open House here today.

Yesterday, Ryanair, in a statement, said that Bellew would re-join the Irish airline as COO, taking over responsibility for Ryanair's flight operations, ground operations and engineering.

Meanwhile, Liow, when asked about the possibility of the CEO replacement, said it all depended on Khazanah Nasional Bhd as it was the airline's major shareholder.

"No report on that (the replacement of MAS' CEO)...that will depend on Khazanah," he said.

-- BERNAMA