AirAsia Boss Tony Fernandes Apologises For Political Video Posting

KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 (Bernama) -- AirAsia Group Chief Executive Officer Tony Fernandes has apologised for buckling under pressure, and for the pain and hurt he caused for his political views in an earlier video posting. Fernandes said he had buckled under the intense pressure, but it was a decision made on the spur of the moment to protect the airline that had given so much to Malaysia and would continue to give much to the country. “It wasn’t right, I will forever regret it. I look forward to a fantastic new Malaysia. A Malaysia that gives everyone a chance,” he said in a video posting on Facebook Sunday. Fernandes said he had buckled at a crucial moment in history and thought it was right for him to try to explain what had happened over the last few weeks. “AirAsia is in a very regulated industry -- an industry where almost everything requires the approval of the government. 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. “And I will do my level best and put 150 per cent in to make up for this error of judgment and to make sure AirAsia continues to allow dreams to come true and to allow us to reach the true potential of what every Malaysian wants to be. We will do our best to play that small little part. “People who started with us carrying bags or dispatch boys are now pilots. Women who never believed they could fly. So that’s a very passionate baby of mine,” he added. -- BERNAMA