Although he was the Under Secretary for Civil Aviation, he was still only a first officer when he was made CEO of Gulf Air. It was thought that it didn't look right having a FO as CEO of the airline so he was made a Captain (virtually an honorary thing as he has to fly with a training captain.) Money didn't change hands, it didn't need to.
Incidently he is held in high regard for his management ability and apparently he is not a bad pilot either. (Remember everything is relative) <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">