KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 15 — Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) chief executive Datuk Captain Chester Voo will step down from his post effective December 31.

CAAM chairman Tan Sri Mohd Khairul Adib Abdul Rahman disclosed that Voo wanted to shorten his tenure as the CEO back in October, but was asked to postpone it for a smoother transition.

"This postponement is to enable CAAM to undertake a smooth transition process and have an effective handover to the eventual successor for this position,” Khairul said in a press statement yesterday.

"To ensure positive continuity, YBhg Datuk Captain Chester agreed and together with the senior management of CAAM, have prepared a complete 2023 strategic plan for CAAM to implement moving forward,” he added.

Khairul said Voo had provided valuable leadership to CAAM management since he joined in June 2020.

"Under his leadership, CAAM has made notable achievements which are reflected in CAAM’s current position as an effective aviation safety and security regulator and air navigation service provider for Malaysia,” it said.

Malaysia’s aviation safety regulator regained its Category 1 rating from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) after a three-year downgrade, allowing Malaysian carriers to launch and add flights to the US.

The FAA had lowered its rating of Malaysia’s oversight capability to Category 2 in 2019 after the CAAM failed to meet the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) safety standards.

The downgrade to Category 2 was a first for Malaysia’s aviation safety regulator since it was assigned a Category 1 rating in 2003 — placing it alongside countries such as Thailand, Bangladesh, Mexico, Curaçao, Costa Rica and Ghana.

The CAAM chairman said today it is positive with the transformation that the organisation has gone through in the past two and a half years.

The undertaking began under the watch of the Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Foke from the first Pakatan Harapan administration.

Loke is now back to oversee the Transport Ministry under a new unity government led by the coalition.

"CAAM is on the right course in carrying out our main roles to oversee and promote safety in the country’s aviation industry and provide world class air navigation services.

"The Authority will continue to keep the momentum strong, following various accomplishments CAAM has achieved under the leadership of YBhg. Datuk Captain Chester,” Khairul said.