MASSA Offers To Work With CAAM For Stronger Aviation Safety Education

KUALA TERENGGANU, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Aviation Skills Standard (MASSA) is ready to work with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) to strengthen preventive education, professional competency development and safety culture among Malaysia’s aviation workforce.

MASSA president Dr Nur Zairahtul Amirah Kamallazim welcomed CAAM’s latest measures to strengthen fitness-for-duty controls and prevent alcohol and drug abuse in the country’s aviation industry.

However, she said the measures should be complemented by continuous education, professional awareness and a strong safety culture to ensure accountability and high standards of professionalism across the industry.

“Safety Directive SD 2/2026, issued by CAAM on Aug 7, is an important step in strengthening Malaysia’s commitment to high aviation safety standards. Regulatory testing and oversight are essential safeguards, but a robust and sustainable safety system must also emphasise prevention, education and safety culture.

“Malaysia can further strengthen this culture by complementing existing regulatory measures with education and awareness covering fitness for duty, professional conduct, workplace risks and peer support mechanisms,” she said in a statement today.

Zairahtul Amirah said Malaysia had a large aviation community whose members consistently carried out safety-related duties with discipline and professionalism, and the actions or mistakes of individuals should not be taken as a reflection of the profession as a whole.

Instead, she said, current developments should be viewed as an opportunity to strengthen safety standards across the industry, with closer cooperation among regulators, airline operators, aviation professional bodies, training organisations and relevant agencies needed to strengthen existing systems.

“MASSA welcomes the opportunity to hold technical discussions and dialogue with CAAM and industry stakeholders on preventive education, professional competency development and strengthening safety culture in aviation.

“Aviation safety cannot be built through enforcement alone. It requires competency, professional responsibility and a work culture that ensures every aviation worker understands that safety begins with oneself,” she said.

CAAM recently ordered all airline operators in Malaysia to conduct drug screening under the Alcohol and Drug Testing Programme (ADTP) on on-duty flight and cabin crew within 30 days.

The directive was issued as a major safety measure following the detention of a Malaysia Airlines pilot in Indonesia over allegations that he attempted to smuggle about 25kg of ecstasy and a small quantity of methamphetamine into the country.

-- BERNAMA