RAFIDAH Aziz has come out defending AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes, saying he had her back when she campaigned for Pakatan Harapan (PH).

The former trade and industries minister also said Fernandes was held ransom by the former Barisan Nasional regime to boot her out.

“Tony just tried to please and placate. His mistake was not telling me.

“He got a private whacking from me already for that. Nothing personal, only for that error in judgement or as I told him, his stupidity,” Rafidah said in a Facebook post today.

Rafidah who also is AirAsia X chairman added that if Fernandes had told her about the pressure he was getting from BN she would have resigned.

“I told Tony and Din that if they were feeling too much pressure, I will resign. I told them I did not ask for this job,” she said, referring to AirAsia chairman Kamaruddin Meranun.

“Tony was adamant and refused to talk about that. They both responded with a big ‘no’. ‘We love you’ – those were Tony’s words.”

In a Facebook video today, Fernandes explained his earlier video which earned the wrath of Malaysians. He admitted that he had “foolishly” thought that the earlier video would placate the former government.

He had also revealed that he was pressured to cancel the 120 extra flights he had put out to bring home 26,000 Malaysians to cast their votes.

Rafidah also said several other businessmen were pressured not to support PH. They, she claimed were hit with exorbitant taxes.

“Too many were unnecessarily hurt. Some lost jobs for supporting PH. Taxes were slammed on companies which were over and above what was due. Long list,” added. – May 13, 2018.