Sarawakian firm mulls legal action against Mavcom after court charges

PETALING JAYA: A Sarawakian company is considering legal action against the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) after the firm and its director were slapped with 60 charges for carrying out refuelling without a valid licence.

BCS Aviation (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd director Robert Song denied the charges and said they would defend themselves in court, Dayak Daily reported.

Song also said a press statement detailing the charges released by Mavcom last Thursday was defamatory.

He said BCS Aviation will seek legal advice on possible action against Mavcom and its executive chairman over the statement.

BCS Aviation and Song face 30 charges each under Section 37(1) of the Malaysian Aviation Commission Act 2015. Song is also charged under Section 92(2)(b) of Act 771 as the company’s director.

They are accused of conducting refuelling operations without a valid ground handling licence at the North Pan Hangar, Kuching International Airport, between July 29 and Aug 18, 2019.

If convicted, they face a maximum fine of RM1 million or up to three years’ imprisonment, or both, for each offence.

A licence from Mavcom is required for anyone providing ground-handling services in Malaysia, including aircraft refuelling.

Song said the company did not directly conduct any refuelling during the period stated in the charges and that it merely supplied fuel to Sarawak government subsidiary, Hornbill Skyways Sdn Bhd.

“As for the supply of aircraft fuel, BCS Aviation has obtained all the necessary permits from Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd.

“BCS Aviation has also complied with the provisions and regulations under the Petroleum Development Act 1974 in relation to the storage, supply and delivery of the said aircraft fuel to Kuching International Airport’s North Pan Hangar.

“Therefore, the allegation in Mavcom’s press release contains false information which is defamatory to both of us and has thus caused damage to our reputation,” he said.