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MAS must provide a serious and honest explanation on the allegations of weight cheating involving MAS general sales agent in Dhaka following the clarification by Biman Bangladesh Airlines on the matter   Press Conference Statement by Teresa Kok Suh Sim (Kuala Lumpur, Tuesday):  Malaysian Airlines (MAS) must provide a serious and honest explanation on the allegations of weight cheating involving its general sales agent in Dhaka, Silkways Cargo Services Ltd following the clarification by Biman Bangladesh Airlines on the matter.  In my meeting with MAS Corporate Services Senior General Manager Dr. Mohamadon Abdullah and MAS Kargo Senior General Manager Mr. Ong Jhye Jong on 30th May 2003, I was informed by them that the MAS General Sales Agent in Dhaka, Silkways Cargo Services Ltd had nothing to do with the allegations of weight cheating leveled against them, because the ground handling of air cargo at the Dhaka Airport, Bangladesh is carried out by Biman Bangladesh Airlines.   However, in a letter dated 31st May 2003 signed by Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ground Service Manager P. Ahmed, it is clearly stated that the duty of Biman Bangladesh Airlines is only to assist other airlines using their ground service by supplying the necessary handling equipments after the palletizing and containerizing of cargo and that the process of weighing, palletizing, containerizing and the loading of cargo is done by the concerned airlines. It is further stated in the letter that any weight cheating or manipulation would be committed by MAS or its representative, i.e. the general sales agent of MAS in Dhaka.   The clarification by Biman Bangladesh Airlines contradicts the earlier explanation given by Dr. Mohamadon and Mr. Ong Jhye Jong to me. It also contradicts the explanation stated in Dr. Mohamadon’s letter to the editor of the Malay Mail dated 29th May 2003, also enclosed herewith, wherein he stated that Biman Bangladesh Airlines as the sole ground handler at the Dhaka Airport is responsible for preparing all air cargo for uplift, which includes acceptance, weighing, documentation and loading the aircraft.   I have today written to the MAS Managing Director Dato’ Md Nor Md Yusof and a copy to a few high-ranking officers of MAS, namelyDr.Mahamadon Abdullah (Senior General Manager in Corporate Services), Mr. Ong Jhye Jong (Senior General Manager, MAS Kargo), Datuk Ahmad Fuaad Dahlan (Senior General Manager of Sales Distribution and Marketing) and Mr. Low Chee Teng (Chief Financial Officer) on the issue urging that MAS conduct a thorough investigation and provide a serious and honest explanation to the public and the government as to the truth of the matter in light of the conflicting explanations and the seriousness of the weight cheating allegations involving Silkways Cargo Services Ltd.     ___________________________________________________________________________________________     10th June, 2003                                              Dato’ Md Nor Md Yusof Managing Director Malaysian Airlines (MAS) Fax: 03- 7846 3006   Dear Dato’,   Re: Allegations of Weight Cheating Involving MAS General Sales Agent in Dhaka, Silkways Cargo Services Ltd   With reference to the above, in my meeting with MAS Corporate Services Senior General Manager Dr. Mohamadon Abdullah and MAS Kargo Senior General Manager Mr. Ong Jhye Jong on 30th May 2003, I was informed by them that the MAS General Sales Agent in Dhaka, Silkways Cargo Services Ltd had nothing to do with the allegations of weight cheating leveled against them, because the ground handling of air cargo at the Dhaka Airport, Bangladesh is carried out by Biman Bangladesh Airlines.   However, in a letter dated 31st May 2003 signed by Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ground Service Manager P. Ahmed enclosed herewith, it is clearly stated that the duty of Biman Bangladesh Airlines is only to assist other airlines using their ground service by supplying the necessary handling equipments after the palletizing and containerizing of cargo and that the process of weighing, palletizing, containerizing and the loading of cargo is done by the concerned airlines. It is further stated in the letter that any weight cheating or manipulation would be committed by MAS or its representative, i.e. the general sales agent of MAS in Dhaka.   The clarification by Biman Bangladesh Airlines contradicts the earlier explanation given by Dr. Mohamadon and Mr. Ong Jhye Jong to me. It also contradicts the explanation stated in Dr. Mohamadon’s letter to the editor of the Malay Mail dated 29th May 2003, also enclosed herewith, wherein he stated that Biman Bangladesh Airlines as the sole ground handler at the Dhaka Airport is responsible for preparing all air cargo for uplift, which includes acceptance, weighing, documentation and loading the aircraft.   In light of this apparent contradiction and the seriousness of the weight cheating allegations involving Silkways Cargo Services Ltd, it is important that MAS carry out a thorough investigation and provide a serious and honest explanation to the public and the government as the truth of the matter.     Yours faithfully,    YB Teresa Kok Member of Parliament Seputeh   Encl. (2)   c.c. 1. Dr. Mohamadon Abdullah       Senior General Manager       Corporate Services       (by fax 78473100)         2. Mr. Ong Jhye Jong       Senior General Manager       MAS Kargo       (by fax 85253070)     3. Datuk Ahmad Fuaad Dahlan    Senior General Manager    Sales Distribution and Marketing                (by fax: 03- 2163 5213)      4. Mr. Low Chee Teng    Chief Financial Officer    (by fax: 03- 2164 7793)   (10/6/2003) * Teresa Kok Suh Sim, MP for Seputeh