My personal thoughts on AirAsia’s Tony Fernandes political storm
I never thought one day I will be writing about this, but this has gone beyond politics, but more to integrity as a person.
Just a background story that Malaysia had just went through a history-changing election on 9th of May, which ended the dominance of the Barisan Nasional that has ruled Malaysia for more than six decades.
This is what happened. Tony Fernandes, who founded the Malaysian low-cost airline, AirAsia has openly showing support in public towards the previous political-tainted ruling party, Barisan Nasional during the election campaign period. I had a huge respect to him all this while, not just because he makes most Malaysians able to fly cheap, but also seeing how he bought an airline that was heavily-in debt with just RM1(USD0.25) back then in year 2001, and able turned it around to such huge and profitable company today, that has already flew 500 million passengers. How inspiring it is, right?
Unfortunately this is what he did. Firstly, our ex Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who also lead Barisan Nasional was given the title of ‘Father of Low Cost Air Travel’ by Tony Fernandes. Secondly, AirAsia painted one of their A330 aircraft with the livery “Hebatkan Negaraku”, which is the the theme of Barisan Nasional’s election manifesto that flew the Prime Minister back to Kuala Lumpur with Mr Tony in the flight as well.
What went even more outrageous was we could see the cabin crews have changed their uniform from AirAsia’s iconic red to blue, which is the official theme colour for Barisan Nasional. How ridiculous it is. It is the company’s identity, that it seems like we the nations care more than the founder himself?
Of course this has definitely stirred a huge storm within social media criticising such action by the man, however no further comment was given by Mr Tony since the day itself.
On the night 9th of May, Barisan Nasional has gone through an unexpected defeat which lost them the power to govern the country as federal government. And four days later which is the 13th, Tony Fernandes released an official video on his Facebook page.
In summary, he apologised for having “buckled” under pressure by the administration governed by Dato Seri Najib to protect the company. “It wasn’t right and I will forever regret it,” he said.
Democracy
Yes, you are right. Democracy, freedom of speech are things that Malaysians have been encouraging and fought for really hard all this while. So some actually defended Tony Fernandes saying he has his own right to speak and to choose on who is he leaning towards, stop being double standard! My dear friends, I extremely agree on what you just said. However I hope you see the problem now, Tony Fernandes don’t speak as an individual, he is representing the WHOLE company, with freaking 17,000 employees! How could he allows politics immersed in his business? Has he thought about his employees and millions of people that supported the airline in the past?
Even though I agree to some extent that some sort of collaboration is needed between company and government to benefit the society. But you don’t call this collaboration, you should never mix “Business” and “Politics”, doesn’t matter you are pro-government or pro-opposition. I don’t see the problem if one day the man himself showing support publicly to either one party as a normal citizen, not a boss and without touching any single asset of the company.
Integrity as an individual and founder of an airline
Try imagine this, a giant company like Samsung changed their logo to red (as red is being associated to the Republicans) in order to drive support for Donald Trump. Seriously? And i’m sure most companies, especially AirAsia have their own rules indicating their employees are restricted from involving themselves in any political related events. But why the founder himself is breaching the SOP?
“Foolishly, I thought by doing the video which I felt was fairly neutral and factual and the plane from Kota Kinabalu would appease the government.”
He went against his principle, by changing the company identity. How is this neutral?
“I also thought it will protect the jobs of all staff, more importantly the very essence of allowing 18mil to fly every year at low fares,”
In the video he claimed he was cornered by the government that leads him to such action. Which I supposed he’s fully aware of the whole situation and unfairness due to the previous government? He knew they were a bully not just to the nations but to himself too. And yet he claimed he’s protecting the employees, but does he know that he’s putting close to 32 millions of Malaysians’ future at stake by not speaking up? I just feel his action is contradicting to his own statement. He could have take this great opportunity to speak up the truth and let all Malaysians to see what’s really happening outside the real world, but sadly he as a respectable public figure that influences many, chose not to do so, isn’t this selfish? Did he know so many entrepreneurs, politicians, activists had gone through way much suffer, some even for decades due to speaking up the truth? This is because they stood firm with their principle, believing their actions will fight for our country to be better and fairer place. This is not a game between political parties, because action should be taken against anyone that violated the law.
Okay, assuming the previous government stays in power, will he releases the video? My answer is, a big NO. I bet most of us including him definitely never see this coming. Oh well, I couldn’t make myself anymore pessimistic after what had happened in our political scene all this years.
“I knew it wouldn’t be popular with the government but I felt as an airline we have to serve the people and this time, people really wanted to go back. In previous elections, Air Asia was not a large airline so we could not make a difference. So we put on 120 extra flights which would have carried 26,000 people on top of our normal flights.”
Sure. Again, this is business. By putting extra flights doesn’t mean he is going against the government. It’s just a contribution AirAsia made to the society to make sure everyone fulfilled their rights to vote for either party. I’m thankful for that. But it’s absolutely not a pro or anti government thing. So I really don’t see how does his statement justify this action. It’s bullshit because they are two different thing altogether. Instead I’m more convinced that this is an extremely good business opportunity to create more profit from flights, and to elevate the brand as a good guy image. Well unless he bears the cost and fly them for free. Then that’s different story.
And after the video release, MAVCOM(Malaysian Aviation Commission) fires back at Tony Fernandes, denying all the allegations saying he’s been pressured and cornered by the commission.
Long story short, we are not part of this. Now it’s just a game between two of them. And we the people will let the justice to prove who’s right and who’s wrong. But what’s very clear to us is neither one will benefit him because he’s either a liar that lied to the people in the video or a man that buckled up and stayed silence.
Disclaimer: This is my very personal thought towards him as an individual, specifically on this issue. Other than that, I can’t deny that he’s a genius, a dreamer and an inspirational business man! And putting political aside, he’s definitely a good person that has done many great stuffs and contributed a lot to the society. I sincerely thanked him for that. 🙂
If you ask me would I still fly with AirAsia, I would say yes due to the low fare which I think he has done an extremely good job. And most importantly AirAsia is just a tool being used wrongly in this case. I WILL STOP flying with them if one day AirAsia has officially became a political affiliated airline. I hope that day doesn’t come. If you curious why am I still showing a support to a bad guy? Like I said, he’s not a bad guy, he’s just did a huge mistake specifically in this context.
Well, let me go little bit more. Since Tony Fernandes has opened the can himself, I’d be more happy and excited for the day he can truly expressed his true and honest political view, as a Malaysian in more details. 🇲🇾 I believe no matter what’s his choice, it’ll be well respected because no either political party is right or wrong forever. As long as this time he don’t involve his company, anymore…
