Transport Minister Dato Sri Ong Tee Keat, who represented Malaysia, was pleased with the progress made thus far and stated that Malaysia was totally committed to the liberalisation process in line with the Prime Minister’s avowed stand and constant espousal of liberalisation not only within the ASEAN but in the international arena. 

 The Minister, in fact, urged the acceleration of the process particularly in the aviation sector. Toward this end, the Ministers signed the Protocol to implement the 6th Package of Air Transport Services Commitments under the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS) which further broadens Member States’ commitment in liberalising air transport ancillary services. The AFAS was launched in the late ‘90s and with regards to the aviation sub-sector, deals with the supporting services of aviation whereby players from ASEAN countries are allowed to offer services like sales and marketing of air services, computer  reservation systems and aircraft leasing services without restriction. 

In addition, the Ministers endorsed, in principle, the text of the ASEAN Multilateral Agreement on the Full Liberalisation of Passenger Services (MAFLPAS) which further expands the scope of the ASEAN Multilateral Agreement on Air Services to include other ASEAN cities apart from ASEAN capitals. The Ministers called for the expeditious signing of the Agreement by next year. 

The Minister was pleased that through Malaysia’s proactive stance on liberalisation, many have benefitted, particularly in the aviation subsector, from the marked increase in business activities and covenience of air travel which encompasses full service carriers as well as low-cost carriers. In fact, on a bilateral basis, Malaysia has moved ahead through its air service agreements with Singapore and now provide links between 18 points in Malaysia to Singapore.  These points are – Alor Star, Bintulu, Ipoh, Kerteh, Kota Bharu, Kota Kinabalu, Kota Terengganu, Kuantan, Kuching, Labuan, Langkawi, Melaka, Miri, Penang, Sandakan, Sibu, Subang, Tawau. In late 2008, there were only five points in Malaysia which have direct links with Singapore.

 Notable progress was also made in the maritime sub-sector through measures set out in the Roadmap toward an Integrated and Competitive Maritime Transport and the development of the strategy framework for the develeopement of an ASEAN Single Shipping Market. 

In the land sub-sector, the Ministers noted the efforts made toward the speedy implementation of the various Agreements like the ASEAN Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Goods in Transit and Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Inter-State Transport toward seamless movement of goods in the region. 

The Minister stated that liberalisation would introduce a greater level of competition but would also bring myriad opportunities for the various sub-sectors of the national transport industry. He urged local players to rise up to the challenges and brace themselves not only to meet growing competition but to take advantage of the host of potential offered by liberalisation. 

 22 December 2009