SOCIAL media users, who earlier this week attacked AirAsia group chief executive officer Tony Fernandes, today rallied around him after Pakatan Harapan lawmaker Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman came to his defence.

The Muar lawmaker took to social media to support Fernandes, who he said had been quietly supporting the opposition. 

Even comedian Harith Iskandar commented on the post, agreeing with Syed Saddiq. 

“Most people don’t know what goes on behind the scenes. What’s sad is that they think what they see is the only truth,” Syed Saddiq said.

Fernandes’ daughter, Stephanie, also commented, saying that Syed Saddiq’s post absolved her father from the allegations of supporting Barisan Nasional. 

“I’m glad that people will understand just how much my father really has sacrificed,” she said. 

Fernandes drew flak earlier this week for openly showing his support for politics on a professional level. He came out with a video saying that the company “owes its success to the government” led by the former prime minister, Najib Razak.

Since then, some have called for a boycott of AirAsia, calling Fernandes a “disappointment” and “disgrace” for supporting Najib’s party. Others said he “bet on the wrong horse”.

A social media user, rekhashanker, said she would have preferred that Fernandes come out himself to admit that his hands were tied. 

“I’d rather Tony Fernandes come out to say on his own why he was forced into a corner… and having someone else be his proxy,” she posted. 

Syed Saddiq called Fernandes an “unspoken hero” for taking hits from BN despite supporting PH. 

Syed Saddiq said that Fernandes also refused to fire former minister Rafidah Aziz, who is AirAsia X chairman, after she came out to stump for PH.

“He refused to fire Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz after she spoke openly against Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak despite being pressured to do so,” said Syed Saddiq. 

He also said Fernandes was forced into supporting Najib by accommodating the plane that was splashed with “Hebatkan Negaraku”, which was BN’s campaign slogan.

“He was pushed to a corner where he had to openly declare his support for the then ruling government. 

“He had to take a video and his staff had to change their uniforms. Pictures of the whole event were taken without the right context,” Syed Saddiq added. – May 11, 2018.