The confidence in Malaysia Airlines was then at its lowest ebb. They arrived with one clear purpose — to position themselves early to finance Malaysia Airlines’ next wave of aircraft acquisition. As Captain Datuk Izham Ismail steps down tomorrow, Malaysia Airlines will close an important chapter in its long and often turbulent history. But he proved the cynics wrong by defining his tenure as group managing director of MAG and chief executive officer of Malaysia Airlines from 2017 onwards. That is perhaps Captain Izham’s most enduring contribution: leaving Malaysia Airlines better positioned to take flight.

Source: The Star January 30, 2026 12:44 UTC