Rafidah Aziz confirms Tony Fernandes was pressured into show of support

PETALING JAYA: Shortly after an apology by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes for pledging support to Barisan Nasional in GE14, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz has confirmed that AirAsia was indeed pressured by the former government.

In a Facebook posting,  Rafidah explained that Tony and AirAsia executive chairman Datuk Kamaruddin had previously approached her for breakfast to convey a message from the “former PM’s operatives” - that Rafidah should stop attacking the then Barisan-led government.

 According to Rafidah, she remained adamant over the message, as she allegedly told Tony and Kamaruddin that she would give them her resignation.

“I told Tony and Din (Kamaruddin) that if they were feeling too much pressure, I will resign. I told them I did not ask for the job.

“Tony was adamant and refused to talk about that. They both responded with a big no. We love you - those were Tony’s words. I was touched,” she said in a Facebook posting issued Sunday (May 13).

Rafidah said the alleged intimidation by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had only managed to rile up her emotions, leading to her attack the Barisan-led government even more.

 As a result, Rafidah said, Tony was forced to appease Najib and his “powerful operatives”.

 “Tony did not tell me that he was trying so hard to ‘placate’ the Prime Minister and his ‘all powerful operatives’. He knew I would veto it.

 “Tony was practically publicly crucified!! Enough to say that Tony got the best of my tongue lashing for not telling me about the plane.”

 Rafidah subsequently thanked Tony and the AirAsia team  for allegedly “taking the hit for her”.

 “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 - Air Asia and AAX of which I am chairman.”

 With the present Pakatan Harapan-led government, Rafidah expressed confidence that AirAsia would be able to operate in a more business friendly environment.

“And, constraints faced by the aviation industry can be eased and removed. We can then serve all of you better. 

“Let us look ahead, with positivity, and let us put the upsets triggered by the past government way behind us. AirAsia will, god willing, be flying in clearer skies from now on.”