NST Online: Topnews

MAS, AirAsia all set to ink partnership deal

Posted: 06 Aug 2011 11:02 AM PDT

2011/08/06
By Shahriman Johari, Azura Abas and Masami Mustaza
news@nst.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines is set to partner Asia's largest budget carrier, AirAsia, in a deal that would allow the Malaysian air carriers to better compete against regional rivals, particularly Singapore Airlines.

The announcement is likely to be made by the government this week, by Wednesday at the latest, said a source close to the deal.

"It's a done deal and it would mean we could compete better," he added.

The Edge business weekly magazine, which also quoted unnamed sources, said the two could form a "working partnership".

This would involve Khazanah Nasional Bhd having stakes in both MAS and AirAsia's major shareholder, Tune Air Sdn Bhd.

Khazanah Nasional Bhd declined to comment.

With the possible partnership between MAS and AirAsia, the combined fleet size will be 179 aircraft.

According to the data in planspotter.net, MAS has 96 aircraft, 18 under FireFly while AirAsia has 54 and AirAsia X operates 11 aircraft. Singapore Airlines has 106 aircraft.

More destinations will also be covered should MAS and AirAsia pool their resources.

To date, MAS flies to 88 destinations and AirAsia to 74 cities. Singapore Airlines, however, operates passenger services to more than 60 cities in more than 80 countries.

It is learnt that MAS will swap shares with AirAsia in a move that could see AirAsia chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes getting a 20 per cent stake in the national carrier.

This will allow both Malaysian carriers to rationalise their fleet frequencies and destinations within the country and abroad while ensuring MAS returns to becoming a premier airline.

About a month ago, MAS surprised the market when it reported a first-quarter operating loss of RM267 million. This had led many analysts to forecast a net loss for the airline in the current financial year.

MAS also hired Tan Sri Md Nor Yusof as its new chairman from Aug 1 this year.

He was picked to be the airline's managing director in 2001 when it was near collapse and helped to push through a massive revamp to put the airline on a stronger footing.

Another major airline in the region, Cathay Pacific, has 127 aircraft and flies to more than 111 destinations worldwide.

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WHY THE BAD ENGLISH?

Posted: 06 Aug 2011 10:25 AM PDT

2011/08/07
By Rizalman Hammim
nsunt@nst.com.my

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (second from left) and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Ahmad Maslan (left) being briefed by Bukit Serampang assemblyman Tahir Taat at SMK Maokil, Labis, yesterday. With them is school principal Noor Hashimah Hassan. — Picture by Shahrul M. Zain

LABIS: Are teachers incompetent, or school books unsuitable?

The Education Ministry will look at these factors to determine why students continue to have a poor grasp of the English language.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also education minister, said the ministry would review the curriculum with regard to the teaching of English as well as identify the reasons behind students' poor command of the language.

Muhyiddin said even after learning the language for 13 years at primary, secondary and matriculation levels, some students still could not master English.

"I have no answers for this problem. I will ask the (Education) director-general to review the English curriculum to find out the reasons behind the problem.

"Is it because the teachers are not competent or there are not enough teachers, or because the books are not suitable?We can't ignore this anymore." He said this during his visit to SMK Maokil here yesterday. Present were Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Ahmad Maslan, Bukit Serampang assemblyman Tahir Taat and school principal Noor Hashimah Hassan.

He said many parents were worried when the ministry changed its policy from the Teaching of Mathematics and Science in English (PPSMI) to the Upholding the Malay Language, Strengthening Command of English (MBMMBI) policy.

"They were concerned that English would be ignored and considered as unimportant.

"This is a wrong assumption.

As the education minister, I have always stressed the importance of mastering English as a second language as it is a language for international trade." He said students must be given the opportunity and exposure to speak and understand both languages.

During the visit, Muhyiddin presented awards to the school's top Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia students of last year.

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Kredit: www.nst.com.my

Sabtu, 6 Ogos 2011

NST Online: Topnews

NST Online: Topnews

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