Transport Ministry gathers info on airlines and shipping companies affected by haze

The Transport Ministry is now in the process of gathering data from airlines and shipping companies incurring losses due to the cross-border haze.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the industry had suffered significant losses since the haze started as the companies had to cancel or delay their flight schedules or journeys due to the poor visibility.

"Many flight schedules had been delayed due to the haze. The same was also true for the shipping industry.

"So far we have yet to determine the actual number of flights that were affected or the actual losses incurred because the process was still ongoing and that the haze was still continuing," he told reporters after launching the rebranding of the Institut Vokasional Tunku Abdul Rahman (VTAR), which was previously named Institut Kojadi, here today.

Liow said all flights had to be cancelled when visibility at the airport was less than 600 metres, while for shipping, when the visibility was less than one nautical mile.

On the Automated Enforcement System (AES), Liow denied an English daily report that the government was studying to cancel the 1.6 million traffic summonses worth RM500 million issued by the system at the end of 2012.

He said the AES would continue to be implemented in view of its effectiveness in curbing traffic accidents and whatever decision to be taken, "we have to wait for the Cabinet decision on the matter".

"What is important is that we must ensure that its implementation does not burden the people," he said.

Earlier in his speech, Liow who is also MCA president said VTAR rebranding was the party's push towards transformation of the vocational education and in line with Malaysia's needs for more skilled workers by 2020.

He said only 28 percent of the current 12 million workforce in the country were highly skilled workers, and that more skilled workers were needed in various fields by 2020.

"The Economic Transformation Programme is projected to result in the creation of 3.3 million new job openings by 2020. What is crucial to note is that at least 40 percent of these positions are expected to require technical

and vocational education and training qualifications.

"Therefore it is timely to rebrand and transform VTAR to help train and produce more innovative and skilled workforce to meet the demands of the industry," he said.

VTAR, which offers courses in electrical installation and maintenance, electronic equipment, automotive, beauty therapy, and hairdressing and bakery, opens its doors to any student aged 15 and above to register for its courses with three intakes a year, namely in January, June and October.