KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 14): The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) announced in a statement Wednesday that chief executive officer Datuk Captain Chester Voo had tendered his resignation in October this year, confirming an earlier report by The Edge on the same day, citing sources, of Voo's impending departure.

Voo's last day is Dec 31 as CAAM had requested Voo to delay his departure to enable the aviation safety regulator to undertake a smooth transition process, and for an effective handover to the eventual successor to the position, according to CAAM chairman Tan Sri Mohd Khairul Adib Abdul Rahman.

"To ensure positive continuity, Datuk Captain Chester has agreed and together with the senior management of CAAM, have prepared a complete 2023 strategic plan for CAAM to implement moving forward," Mohd Khairul said, adding Voo's resignation letter had been accepted by Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

Voo was appointed to his position in CAAM two and half years ago in June 2020, shortly after the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) downgraded Malaysia's air safety ranking to Category 2 in November 2019 after the country failed to comply with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s safety standards.

The news of his departure was unexpected, given how the aviation safety regulator had successfully managed to restore Malaysia's air safety ranking to Category 1 just this October.

In the statement, Mohd Khairul lauded Voo for having provided valuable leadership to the management of the aviation safety and security regulator.

"The authority will continue to keep the momentum strong, following various accomplishments CAAM has achieved under the leadership of Datuk Captain Chester, and this includes regaining Category 1 rating of the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) by the FAA, the launch of the new Kuala Lumpur Air Traffic Control Centre (KLATCC), the introduction of CAAM’s first client charter, and the successful organisational restructuring of CAAM.

"CAAM will continue with the various initiatives and efforts to ensure its role as the regulatory body for the country’s civil aviation industry is maintained in line with international requirements," Mohd Khairul said.

"The authority wishes to express our sincere appreciation to Datuk Captain Chester for his unstinting dedication, passion, remarkable work, and contributions made throughout his service with CAAM and we wish him the very best in all his future endeavours," he added.

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