AirAsia PR chief in trouble for posting ‘dirty’ klia2 video

Alfian Z.M. Tahir Alfian Z.M. Tahir Updated 5 years ago · Published on 24 Dec 2018 2:10PM · 10 Comments

AirAsia refuses to collect an extra RM23 fee from passengers at klia2 on the grounds that they are not enjoying 'full service' and this has upset the airport operator. – AFP pic, December 24, 2018.

AIRASIA’S head of communications, Mohd Aziz Laikar Ali has been summoned by the police over a video he posted on Twitter ruing the lack of hygiene at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 today.

The police want to record his statement after Malaysian Airports Holding Bhd, which manages klia2, lodged a report.

However, Aziz will only be able to present himself at the klia2 police station on Wednesday.

“Yes, I received a call from an inspector about 8.30am. I was asked to come to the station and have my statement recorded.

“However, I am on leave so I can only go on Wednesday and the officer agreed,” Aziz told The Malaysian Insight.

“I do not know when they lodged the report against me,” he added.

An airport police officer when contacted confirmed receiving the report.

A few days ago, Aziz posted a video showing a rubbish bin filled with maggots at the airport, which is almost exclusively used by AirAsia.

He then questioned a statement issued by MAHB about its outstanding performance in airport management for October.

Aziz later said the video was taken by a colleague.

He denied it was an attempt to smear MAHB’s image.

Aziz added that his superiors and AirAsia’s top management have expressed solidarity with him.

The Malaysian Insight has contacted MAHB for comments.

This episode comes in the wake of an ongoing tiff between AirAsia and MAHB over the passenger service charge imposed by MAHB at the airport.

AirAsia Group Bhd and AirAsia X Bhd have defended their refusal to collect the RM23 fee at klia2 imposed in February, as they are of the view that passengers using klia2 should not be charged the same rates as passengers in KLIA.

The group maintains that klia2 is a low-cost terminal with far lower levels of service provided to passengers compared with KLIA, which is a full-service terminal. – December 24, 2018.

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Comments

  • This could have been settled with just an email and a photo to the MAHB management. Why publicize it? It is not good for the image of the country. Got to use your head and think for a change. You are Air Asias head of communications. You are not doing your job if you dont even know how to communicate to the right channels.

    Posted 5 years ago by Lily Cheong · Reply

  • What has that got to do with the Police? Doesn't it have better things to do? MAHB can sue if the photo us not true, and if it is, it gets unwanted publicity. Butt out of a civil dispute Police!

    Posted 5 years ago by Thuan Chai Chan · Reply

  • If not mistaken, I read AA claimed the new extra charge will increase MAHB's profit, instead of adding money to gov's coffer. Is it true? If the charge is extraordinary cf other airports or higher than other (similar) airports, then gov must step in. What if the higher charge was instituted to increase profit of certain crony?

    Posted 5 years ago by Joe KM · Reply

  • Who are the shareholders of MAHB... all government agencies? Any private sector? Whats his background?
    KLIA2 is supposed to be a no frills airport so that people can pay less in airport taxes/duty.
    Is the RM73 a fair rate? How much is MAHB charging for each passenger at KLIA?
    Can AAs rationale for charging a lesser rate (at KLIA 2) be justified? Just compare with the rate and benefits at KLIA..

    Posted 5 years ago by TTs Take · Reply

  • MAHB making a police report just because a video was posted?
    Please la, resolve this amicably, internally. People are sick and tired of this unnecessary melo-drama. No need to show and parade around your dirty laundry and show-off your incompetencies in public.
    Why not just sue AA if you think you have been wronged? Unless you are worried about a counter suit?

    Posted 5 years ago by TTs Take · Reply

  • A bullying tactic to shut people up for the wrong reasons????

    Posted 5 years ago by Concerned Citizen · Reply

  • Just saw the video posted on Twitter. Dude does not know the difference between maggots and termites.

    Posted 5 years ago by Hisham Mokhtar · Reply

  • It all comes down to what MAHB is doing with the RM23 fees for KLIA2. Is it going to benefit the passengers and airport users or just increase their profit? Is the hike justified? Malaysian needs to remain competitive to bring in much needed tourist dollars so Aziz is not wrong to demand better service by highlighting MAHB's shortcomings.

    Posted 5 years ago by Roger 5201 · Reply

  • I think all these should be acknowledge by the authorities that their standards are not up to mark... cleanliness in the airport should be top priority as that is the number one gateway to the image of Malaysia. Get the things clean up and maintain a tip top condition of the infrastructure for all people.

    Posted 5 years ago by Will Be Humble · Reply

  • Why are the police involved in something like this? I see no mention of a crime of any kind. Perhaps a cause for civil action, but I wonder how far that would go.

    The only possibility: somebody wanted to intimidate AirAsia and/or Aziz, and has the connections to make the police into his own personal squad. Perhaps this is what might be looked into.

    Posted 5 years ago by Don Frazer · Reply