The Malaysian automotive industry was rocked today by the news of the death of Datuk Aisha Ahmad Bajunaid, president of the Malaysian Automobile Association (MAA). Aisha passed away peacefully in Jeddah on the morning of February 2, 2023, and will be buried today in Saudi Arabia, the association said in an official press release.
“The passing of Dato’ Aishah is indeed a great loss, not only to all members of the Malaysian Automobile Association, but to the entire automotive industry,” the release read.
“Datuk Aisha is well respected in the local auto industry as well as her foreign counterparts in ASEAN, APEC and the Malaysian government, she is a legend and one of the leading auto industry personalities who dedicated the best years of her life to Giving growth and development With her vision, dedication and passion, she has made an impact on the Malaysian automotive industry,” it continued.
Aishah has held the position since 1991 (MAA was previously known as the Malaysian Motor Traders Association, MMTA) and led MAA as the leading automotive industry association in the country.
“Under her leadership, MAA has grown in stature, membership and resources. Under her leadership and strong commitment, the association has engaged in numerous dialogues, discussions and proposals with government to address industry issues and review policy , to support the expansion and maintenance of the Malaysian automotive industry,” the association said in a press release.
Apart from being the chairman of MAA, Aishah, 71, has also been the chairman of the Automobile Federation of Malaysia (AFM) since 1998. AFM is a joint venture between MAA, Malaysian Auto Parts Manufacturers (MACPMA) and Malaysian Motorcycle and Scooter Assemblers and Distributors Association (MASAAM).
At the regional level, Aishah served three terms as Chairman of the ASEAN Automobile Federation (AAF) and helped increase the organization’s profile and size. A highlight of her tenure as AAF Chair from 2015 to 2017 was the successful recruitment of the Automobile Association of Myanmar (AAM) and the Confederation of Automobile Industries of Cambodia (CAIF) as members, bringing the full 10 ASEAN member industry associations into AAF.
Aishah is a giant in her own right, having worked in the automotive industry for over 40 years, making her one of the longest serving people in the field. Her illustrious career began in the mid-1970s with the Inchcape Group of Companies in Malaysia, followed by Ford Malaysia and Tractors Malaysia before retiring at Sime Darby Motors – where she continued as Sime Board member of Darby Group.
Following the news of Aisha’s death, DRB Industries also issued a statement mourning the loss of the MAA chairman. Datuk Seri Syed Faisal Alba, group managing director of DRB Heavy Industries, said that she is irreplaceable and her legacy is her influence on the MAA chairman. The industry she loves so much.
“Her leadership, vision and dedication in managing MAA had a lasting impact on the industry and she will be remembered as a tireless champion for the growth and development of the Malaysian automotive industry. Her passing is a huge loss to the industry and the community at large. loss,” Syed Faisal said. “DRB-Hicome expresses its deepest sympathies to Datuk Aisha’s family, friends and colleagues. May Allah bless her soul and place her in Jannah,” the statement read.
we are at paultan.org Also saddened by the passing of Datuk Aisha Ahmad Bajunaid and will miss her warm personality, deep insights and positive discussions with members of the media. We extend our deepest condolences to her family.