KUALA LUMPUR (May 21): The Transport Ministry today assured that an independent panel comprising of professional experts will be chosen to form the Malaysian Aviation Commission, which is to be set up under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) that was announced by the Prime Minister today.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai also rubbished speculations that former aviation veteran Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad Abdul Majid has been tipped to be the first executive chairman for the soon-to-be-set-up aviation commission.

Bashir is currently the adviser to Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) and has been appointed chairman of the Corporate Development Centre (CDC) that will be responsible for the Reskilling of Malaysian Airlines staffs.

Aviation analysts had recently voiced their views that someone “independent”, who has the collective interests of all stakeholders in mind, should head the proposed aviation commission.

"That [talk about Bashir to head the commission] is all rumours ... just wait for the appointment. We will choose a person who can best lead this commission because this commission covers a lot of areas.

"There is a wide range of responsibility given to this commission so we need a very independent and professional group to handle it," he said this to reporters at Parliament lobby today.

Among the issues it will handle is airline licensing, allocation of slots and routes, airport taxes, ground handling and consumer protection.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will appoint the chairman for the commission, said Liow, while the appointment of the remaining six committee members will be tasked to the Transport Ministry.

Liow said the 11MP's focus on the aviation industry is to prioritise the expansion of the industry and help it plan forward with a bigger capacity.

The Aviation Commission Bill was passed in Parliament earlier this year and the commission will be set up once the new law is gazetted, he said.

He added that there is no fixed timeframe for the commission to be established for now, but that an announcement will be made as soon as possible.