Report: Over 50 M'sian Pilot Trainees Scammed By Local Aviation Training Company
The now-defunct Bumiputera aviation training company is accused of mismanaging over RM21 million meant for flight training in the Czech Republic.
By Sadho Ram — 22 Oct 2024, 06:32 PM
More than 50 Malaysian pilot trainees and their families have been left in financial ruin after being allegedly scammed by a Shah Alam-based aviation training company
The now-defunct local Bumiputera company, allegedly mismanaged over RM21 million intended for aviation training programmes in the Czech Republic between 2020 and 2022, reported Bernama in the first of a three-part exclusive report.
The company, whose owner had previously appeared in television interviews and talk shows, promoted itself through local media as a successful, internationally recognised Bumiputera business.
It had partnered with Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), which provided scholarships to Bumiputera students for flight training at the Czech Aviation Training Centre (CATC) in Prague. MARA funded around 25 students, contributing RM441,000 per trainee for tuition and accommodation, according to Bernama.
However, the company — which is set to be named by Bernama in its second report — failed to pay the necessary fees, leaving the students stranded in Prague without accommodation or living expenses.
According to the report, some students were even evicted from their lodgings in the middle of the night.
Several batches of cadet pilots enrolled under the company between 2019 and 2022, each paying between RM400,000 and RM700,000
A parent of a former trainee pilot, who requested anonymity, said that his son was among the MARA-sponsored students sent to Prague in November 2020 under the company's aviation programme.
Concerned parents formed a WhatsApp group to share updates and lodged police reports in February 2022. However, authorities informed them that only MARA could file a criminal breach of trust (CBT) report since the funds had come from them, not the parents.
According to Bernama, the company's relationship with MARA soured during the COVID-19 pandemic when MARA withheld RM9 million in funds due to unresolved issues with the company.
MARA later transferred affected students to local flight schools and covered the costs for those already in Prague. However, many self-funded students were left to fend for themselves.
The company is also facing legal action from other families
Among the parents still seeking justice is Azlira Bosra, a 58-year-old commercial airline pilot with 34 years of experience. He initiated legal proceedings after his daughter, Sofea, lost RM230,000.
Azlira has been pursuing the case since May 2022, but despite court summonses, the company's representatives have failed to appear in any proceedings, reported Bernama.
"The court summoned them, but none appeared at any proceedings, not even a representative. I even used a substitute service to place an advertisement in the local newspaper, but it had no effect. They simply don't care," he said in an interview with the national news agency.
He, along with other affected parents, is now working together to expose the individuals responsible for the alleged mismanagement of funds.
The full Bernama report can be read here.
