The blue-eyed boy who successfully demoted Malaysian Airlines to become the national step-child through his backdoor connections and ‘strategic offerings’, is now trying to be the national Clown.
From recent statements, the CHEAP-airlines’ CEO also seems keen to assume the posts of Finance Minister and Transport Minister.
(Wonder why the 4th floor boys didn’t nominate the CEO as a candidate in the last elections as it would have been easier for them to ‘sell’ the entire aviation industry to this new ‘Transport Minister’).
Mr.Fernandes’ outburst against MAS’ Managing Director / Ceo Datuk Seri Idris Jala is something many in the industry have been waiting for as the heat was turned on him.
While the CHEAP airlines appeared to be doing everything right and was soaring to unbelievable heights in the last four years, the ACTUAL picture came to light recently.
How much they actually owe MAS and Penerbangan Malaysia is anybody’s guess but it was made public in Parliament last week that AIRASIA has NOT PAID more FIVE MILLION RINGGIT to Malaysia Airports Berhad alone.
This HUTANG is despite them enjoying initial zero airport tax and later only paying a pittance due to the interference from the ‘high n mighty’.
AIRASIA, it was reliably learned, actually owes the Government of Malaysia HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS in all sorts of dues and yet is putting up a brave face to question MAS’ right to hold an attractive ticket ‘SALE’.
The CHEAP airline is also, without any SHAME, demanding the specific subsidies enjoyed by MAS.
The subsidies enjoyed by MAS are mainly for the Rural Air Services (RAS) in Sabah and Sarawak.
The CHEAP airlines had its eyes set on these subsidies from day one and worked their way through with the help of “Mr.Qali’ to grab the entire RAS services from MAS.
MAS had NEVER wanted to give-away the RAS under the its Idris-initiated Business Turnaround Plan but the guys at the helm of the CHEAP airlines wanted the RAS subsidies so badly that they got it thru FAX.
They took all the Twin-Otter and Fokker aircrafts from Penerbangan Malaysia (for free I guess), messed up the lives of hundreds (if not thousands) of MAS staff including long-serving pilots, infuriated the rural folks in Sabah/Sarawak by practically NOT FLYING to minimize costs and finally dumped the RAS after obtaining the much waited LONG-HAUL license.
How much of the million of ringgit in subsidies went into their pocket is another matter which is yet to be audited.
FAX still owes thousands of ringgit to many poor ground-handlers in remote airstrips and travel agents in Sabah and Sarawak.
The unprecedented full-backing by the 4th floor boys and one Mr.Qali (who happens to sit as the chairman and in direct control of about 25 % stake in Fernandes’ pie) even saw the CHEAP airlines blowing the candles on MAS’ cake.
International routes that were negotiated for MAS, on a Govt to Govt basis, were handed over to the CHEAP airlines on a silver platter. – and Idris didn’t object much as he knew exactly what and WHO he was up against.
MAS didn’t object or protest on a whole lists of other discrepancies and ‘jokes’ in the industry as the previous Transport Minister acted more like the chief liaison officer for the CHEAP airlines.
We can’t blame the former Minister though, as he was just PLAYING SAFE, apart from his numerous golf outings on Singapore’s Sentosa.
Mr.Fernandes, try settling whatever you guys owe to the poor rural guys who assisted FAX during your days in the Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak before calling on Idris for a debate.
Malu lah brother!
(My dear Mr/Madam/Miss Parliamentarians! Please ask the Government to spell out in detail how much the CHEAP airlines actually owe us and what kind of exemptions have they been enjoying under the present Government, and WHY?)
p/s Wondering how the Rembau Clown is going to respond ….
EVERYTHING CAN FLY NOW, if you can't GO FLY KITES!
AirAsia's baby FAX canibalised Penerbangan Malaysia's aircrafts and utilised free spare parts while operating the rural services in Sabah & Sarawak.
ReplyDeleteDid anyone investigate this scam?
I am appalled that the Cheap CEO dared to challenge MAS!! He obviously forgot what he has done or is oblivious to what has been done. This happens when people get too arrogant, big for their shoes and an attitude so bad!
ReplyDeleteI can smell shit swirling. YB Wee Choo Keong should pursue this.
Heard too that aircrafts were returned in appalling state but it's strange why it has not come up all this time...
ReplyDeletebro,
ReplyDeletetell dato sero tony that nobody force or invite him to take over Air Asia unlike Tajudin Ramli.
Takkan nak kena spoon feed all the way. Kalu macam tu gua pun boleh bukak airlines company ( Kroni Air)
not surprised at all when being cornered and airasia beginning to lose.
ReplyDeletestop blaming other people, this is typical indian mentality!
Mr Tony Fernandez,
sell your share, better quit now
while you still got time and take all your money and live happily forever!
Notice how he digs himself ever deeper into the 'dirt cheap' corner by the week?
ReplyDeleteMay 20, 2008 23:03 PM
ReplyDeleteIssue Of AirAsia's Debt With MAHB Referred To MoF
KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 (Bernama) -- Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat said the issue of debt amounting to RM110.356 million owed by AirAsia Bhd to Malaysia Airports Holdings (MAHB) has been brought to the attention of the Ministry of Finance for a resolution.
The matter had to be brought to the MoF because the low cost carrier company has disagreed with the rate MAHB has charged it.
"As far as I know, the debt has remained so because AirAsia has not agreed to the rate it has been charged and has requested that the airline be charged a lower rate," he said.
"This is the only conflict between AirAsia and MAHB, and this has been brought to the ministry for a resolution," he said in reply to a question from Wee Choo Keong (PKR-Wangsa Maju) on the debt issue between AirAsia and MAHB.
Ong said the money owed by AirAsia to MAHB was for the services at all the airports in Malaysia since 2002 till March this year.
-- BERNAMA
AirAsia falls below IPO price
ReplyDeleteSHARES of AirAsia Bhd fell below its initial public offering price in 2004 for the first time yesterday as investors feared that near-record high jet fuel prices and mounting competition could hurt its bottom line.
The budget carrier's stock closed 4.3 per cent, or five sen lower, at RM1.12.
"I don't think the investors are worried about the company's gearing. Its cash flow looks good. The main issue everyone is concerned about is the fuel price," OSK Research Sdn Bhd associate director Chris Eng said.
Investors were also concerned over AirAsia's soon-to-be announced first quarter earnings, expected to be out sometime next week.
Jet fuel prices closed at a record US$162.55 (RM528.29) a barrel in Singapore trading last Wednesday.
AirAsia is also facing increased competition from Malaysia Airlines (MAS), which recently cut its fares to woo customers.
"Across the board, all airlines are forced to innovate to come to terms in a higher fuel cost scenario," an Aseambankers analyst said.
AirAsia shares have depreciated by almost 30 per cent, or 48 sen, so far this year.
It has been a tough month for AirAsia. The stock closed higher only on two trading days, unchanged on another two, and lower on eight trading days.
Since last week, several research houses have downgraded the stock to a "sell", while OSK has a target price of RM1.01.
AirAsia, headed by group chief executive officer Datuk Tony Fernandes, is among 18 budget carriers that started flying in South and Southeast Asia in the past five years.
Since then, increased competition has forced some of the low-cost carriers to go out of business.
Indonesia's PT Adam Skyconnection Airlines shut down two months ago as funds dried out, while Oasis Hong Kong Airlines Ltd faced an almost similar problem and stopped flying last month.
Several other such carriers have postponed their share sale.