A group of Umno veteran members have reportedly called for its party members to boycott the budget airlines AirAsia and AirAsiaX.

This follows AirAsiaX CEO Azran Osman Rani’s outburst against Utusan Malaysia over its allegedly racist headline two weeks ago ‘ Apa lagi Cina mahu? ’ (What more do the Chinese want?)

The group’s secretary Mustapha Yaakub reportedly claimed yesterday that Azran’s admonishment of Utusan was tantamount to belittling his own (Malay) race at a time when Malays are under pressure from many parties.

“Azran’s statement is really disparaging to the Malays. Since AirAsiaX would not punish him, then Umno veterans will do so by boycotting AirAsia and AirAsiaX.

“To us, Azran is the poster-boy of a Malay who has forgotten his race. This is the Malay that is said to be an ingrate.

“It is individuals like this who cause the Malays to lose their identity to the extent of being willing to pawn the dignity of their race,” Mingguan Malaysia - the Sunday edition of Utusan - quoted Mustapha saying today.

Utusan to boycott AirAsia ads

Azran has been slammed by various Malay and Muslim right-wing groups since he openly expressed disgust over Utusan’s controversial headline, including calls for him to be sacked.

He has since said that his statement was ‘blown out of proportion’.

Meanwhile, Mingguan Malaysia columnist Awang Selamat said Utusan will shun any advertisements from AirAsia until Azran apologises.

"Without Air Asia, Awang Selamat will not have any problem. Furthermore, the value of the advertisement given is very small, lower than advertisements for herbal and hair treatment," said the writer, who always refers to himself in third person.

Awang Selamat is understood to be a pseudonym for Utusan editors.