Tony Fernandes, CEO of AirAsia, shared a photo of himself chairing a management meeting. Shirtless. While getting a massage. Here’s what he had to say,
Was a stressful week, and Veranita Yosephine suggested a massage. Got to love Indonesia and AirAsia culture that I can have a massage and do a management meeting. We are making big progress, and I have now finalized Capital A structure. Exciting days ahead. Proud of what we have built and never have lost sight of the finish.
He’s since deleted his LinkedIn post, but the internet is forever. But definite Epstein vibes?
Leaked photo of Chauntae Davies, a Jeffrey Epstein victim, giving a back massage to Bill Clinton in 2002.
Clinton flew on Epstein's plane at least 26 times in 2002 and 2003.
Do you think the FBI ever questioned Bill Clinton about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein? pic.twitter.com/IQ3zsCkSHr
— KanekoaTheGreat (@KanekoaTheGreat) September 23, 2023
How welcoming is this to women in the executive suite? How would a woman in a similar position be received? Meanwhile he’s putting out definite ‘finance bro’ vibes, but more analyst than Managing Director – showing off how he’s burning the late night oil to get the font just right on a powerpoint with no time to leave the office for relaxation or even sleep. It would seem to chase away anyone who would consider a career in management at the airline.
Hardly immune from controversy, AirAsia reportedly gives priority to white people for exit row seating.
I have actually flown AirAsia (PNH-DMK, DMK-PNH and other flights) a number of times and also upgraded to exit row seats. The upgrades are relatively inexpensive and I have always had at least one empty seat next to me and often a whole row. A few other passengers who are willing to spend a few more dollars do this also. Most of the upgraders crowd into a few rows of seats at the front of the aircraft instead. Everyone in the exit row seats that I have talked to have paid for the upgrade. I have not seen white privilege, only green privilege. The story sounds like a false narrative to me.
Don’t see what the problem is here. Also, it’s not like he’s just some CEO appointed by the Board off the street. The guy literally founded the airline and owns it. If he wants a shirtless massage during a meeting of the company that exists solely because of him, sounds like fair play to me. Also let’s not forget he’s not based in the west, so he doesn’t have to bog himself down with microanalysis of how any given act might offend someone’s delicate sensibilities.
And comparing a paid massage to the Epstein/Clinton situation is an incredible stretch of logic, to say the least. The only common factor is the occurrence of a massage. Borderline defamation here…if not, it’s hard to see what the point of this post is.
This isn’t a surprise with him and he’s quite the character. For a while he seemed to think of himself as an Indian version of Richard Branson’s public persona.
And it’s really not unheard of for “the boss” in South Asian and SE Asian offices to get a massage or leg press for completely non-sexual purposes. And it’s not just a private sector dynamic in these countries. Over in the countries with the second and third largest Muslim populations in the world, the majority of PMs have had office or home office massages during the working day. It’s with the younger generation that this has of “bosses” that this has become less common than it used to be.
When in Rome…
Wait until you hear about the massages he gets behind closed door. They will make you blush
Flown Air Asia & Air Asia Indonesia many times. FAs act like they are happy to see you.
A massage in Asia esp. Indonesia is a very common thing utilized for a variety of ailments.
Jojo,
I have some female acquaintances who know him personally and have been alone in meeting rooms with him. He has been completely decent and at least as respectful toward each of them as to male acquaintances.
If he had a “Metoo” incident or pattern, I haven’t come across that.