The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM, Malay: Pihak Berkuasa Penerbangan Awam Malaysia), previously known as the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA, Malay: Jabatan Penerbangan Awam), is a Malaysian government agency under the Ministry of Transport Malaysia. Established in 1969, it entrusted to oversee the technical issues related to the civil aviation sector in Malaysia. Effectively on 19 February 2018, DCA was incorporated into a statutory body known as CAAM.[1]
Background
CAAM headquarters in Putrajaya.
The incorporation of CAAM is in line with requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Under this new agency, CAAM is making great strides to strengthen the nation's aviation standards as well as addressing existing challenges, to advance Malaysia in the aviation sector in line with the country's aspiration to be the leading hub for the industry regionally as well as globally.
The regulatory responsibility of civil aviation technical matters is vested in CAAM. CAAM's main role is to contribute to the development of Malaysia's civil aviation technical sector and mandated to comply with ICAO's standards so as to keep aviation safe, secure and efficient. Malaysia is a proud Council member of ICAO from 2007 and has since maintained its membership in the Council for three consecutive terms while making significant contributions to the development of civil aviation's safety and security.
History
The Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) was established in 1969 under the Civil Aviation Act 1969 [Act 3] to administer and regulate the civil aviation industry as well as to provide systematic air control services to airplanes. In 1976, the DCA became the self-accounting department under the Ministry of Transport.
In November 1992, the department is separated into two entities, namely the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) and the Malaysia Airports Berhad (MAB). DCA remains the regulatory body for the airports and aviation industry in Malaysia, whilst the newly-established Malaysia Airports to focus on the operation, management, and maintenance of airports.[2][3][4]
In November 2016 the DCA became a statutory body and was renamed as the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM),[5][6] with the name change effective 19 February 2018,[7][8] in line with the Government's goal to spur the Malaysian aviation industry to a greater heights.[9]
In December 2019, the Ministry of Transport announced that CAAM and the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) would merge to create a standalone aviation regulator. The proposed merger was said "to optimise staff and financials, as well as making the civil aviation industry more competitive". The anticipated merger did not materialized as CAAM and MAVCOM remains a separate entities.[10][11][12]
In October 2022, the authority reinstated as a Category 1 safety and technical regulator by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The reinstatement will strengthen Malaysia's position as an aviation hub and improve its network connectivity.[13][14][15][16]
In October 2023, Transport Minister, Anthony Loke announced that a bill for proposed merger between CAAM and MAVCOM will be tabled on the Parliament in 2024.[17]
^"Cat1 reinstatement by FAA to bolster Malaysia's position as aviation hub". NST Business. New Straits Times. 1 October 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022. Malaysia's air safety rating in the United States (US) has been restored to Category 1 after all 33 issues raised by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) were resolved, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
