BN-themed flight: AirAsia boss says he buckled under pressure
Fernandes made the claims in a video where he apologized for using his platform and company to support former Prime Minister Najib Razak.
"And I came under intense pressure day by day as Rafidah get more and more involved in the campaign".
Fernandes, in a video posted on his Facebook page, had claimed he was under intense pressure to back the Najib Razak administration, including being asked to remove Rafidah Aziz as chairman of AirAsia X and cancel extra flights at low fares for the general election. "I buckled at a crucial moment in our history", Fernandes said.
Tony Fernandes said the airline was "summoned" by Malaysia's independent aviation body after facing "intense pressure" from the prime minister's office to fire an executive who supported the opposition alliance. On top of that, we reduced the ticket prices to make it affordable, RM99 for flights in Peninsular Malaysia and RM129 for flights across the sea to east Malaysia. "So we put on 120 extra flights which would have carried 26,000 people on top of our normal flights".
Meanwhile, AirAsia X chairman Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz thanked Fernandez for standing by her when he was under pressure from the previous government.
Within 24 hours, he said, AirAsia was summoned by the Malaysian Aviation Commission and told to cancel those flights.
In response, Mavcom said in a statement today that it would investigate the matter, saying it considers the allegation "serious".
Fernandes said he shared the views of many Malaysians and that he looked forward to a new Malaysia that gives everyone a chance.
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"It was realized by the government that we were ferrying so many voters. That put us under again tremendous pressure", Fernandes said.
Rafidah said the alleged intimidation by Najib only riled her up, making her attack the Barisan government even more.
He added: "Air Asia is in a very regulated industry, an industry where nearly everything requires the government's approval, from flights, to airport taxes, to routes. And so, it is never very easy running an airline, and one must always support the Government of the day", he explained.
As a result, Rafidah said, Fernandes was forced to appease Najib and his "powerful operatives".
Under the present Pakatan Harapan government, Rafidah said she was confident that AirAsia would be able to operate in a more business-friendly environment.
He pledge to make up for his error of judgment.
"Because he knew I was doing the right thing and at the same time, he needed to stop "them" from tightening further screws on where it would hurt most - AirAsia and AAX of which I am chairman", she said.
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