Azran's criticism of Utusan was 'in personal capacity'

AirAsia X chairperson Rafidah Aziz appears to have distanced the low-cost carrier from Utusan Malaysia’ s criticism of its chief executive officer Azran Osman Rani.

Referring to Azran’s (left) comment, which has sparked retaliation by the daily, Rafidah said this was a personal view which does not represent the airline's stance.

“Certainly we need to differentiate the statement of the company from a personal statement made on social media,” the former minister and Umno Wanita chief was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian today.

Early this month Azran had described the daily as ‘racist’ because of its crude front page headline 'Apa lagi Cina mahu?' (What more do the Chinese want) on May 7.

He also said that Malay rights group Perkasa is narrow-minded and had caused the Malays to be left behind.

Since then, the Umno-owned newspaper has embarked on a scathing attack against Azran and AirAsia.

Last Sunday, the newspaper featured an article by columnist Ridhuan Tee Abdullah (right) who said AirAsia should focus on lengthening the skirts of the Malay female cabin crew and getting them to cover their chests , rather than criticise the daily.

Utusan continued the attack today by quoting Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Hassan Malek as urging the airline to prioritise the “welfare of its customers”.