Business as usual at most AAM branches

GEORGE TOWN: The Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM) today assured members the branch in Jalan Sungai Pinang will not close down following reports the association was in financial trouble.
A senior officer of the branch who wished to remain anonymous told theSun the situation was normal and members need not panic.
She said she believed the AAM management was doing its best to resolve the issues including salaries which have yet to be paid since May, with the unpaid wages deposited into staff accounts today.
"We are still strong and solid as we have been operating for so long now," she said when met today.
theSun observed there were no crowds outside the office here but the officer did concede that they have been kept busy fielding calls and messages from anxious members.
"This is usual as members want to seek clarification on the situation," she said and hoped things will soon return to normal.
theSun also spoke to AAM members among whom was J. H. Shum, 34, who said he has been a member for more than 10 years.
He said he was shocked to find out the reported troubles plaguing the association but noted AAM was facing stiff competition from insurance companies which offered similar services.
"I will still continue to subscribe to their service and will only switch if things turn sour," the marketing executive said.
In JOHOR BARU, it is business as usual ate the AAM's Johor branch but two staff had left the company due to the unpaid salary.
A source said they were in arrears of salary for about three months now.
"Some 10 staff all still working as usual and we all hope for good news from the headquarters," the source said.
The 30-year-old branch handles about 10 breakdown services daily.
However, the IPOH branch has been hit by the financial woes plaguing the association, with only a skeleton staff operating and servicing motorists in the city.
AAM Malaysia technical operations manager Mohd Noramil Mohd Daril said four to five drivers, including the manager, are still with the company.
At one time there were 15 staff operating in Ipoh.
He said the office here may be closed due to unpaid rentals.
According to Mohd Noramil, as there was staff shortage, the 24-hour service had been cut down to office hours.
"We have to face the wrath of motorists when their vehicles break down after office hours," he added.