Malaysia's MASkargo, the freight arm of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), is under internal investigation for corruption, part of a plan to clean up the company that also cut eight routes.
Former managing director Shahari Sulaiman took leave in November after the probe began in August when financially troubled parent MAS lost MYR1.2 billion (US$300 million) in the first three quarters.
MASkargo vice-president Encik Mohd Yunus Idris now oversees the cargo unit's operations. As yet no police report has been lodged, according to a report in the Malaysian Insider journal.
The freight arm made pre-tax profit of MYR142 million in the fiscal 2010, but problems began with a share swap between the Malaysian low-budget carrier AirAsia.
Once applauded, Mr Sulaiman headed up MASkargo's most profitable operations in September 2007, winning honours at the Hong Kong Supply Chain Awards 2009 as the Best Air Cargo Carrier in Asia.
He also initiated the Material Handling Cargo System, using the warehouse complex in Kuala Lumpa International Airport (KLIA) to increase its capacity from 650,000 tonnes to one million tonnes a year.