After bragging about his shiny, new Tesla Model Y yesterday, AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes received a few congratulatory messages and hundreds more angry ones.
The 57-year-old Malaysian businessman was boasting about being able to afford the high-tech car, said to cost approximately $55,190 (RM229,315) according to Motortrend.com, prompting angry customers to demand for air ticket refunds and disgruntled employees to ask for their salaries to be paid on time.
User Nacap.haha said: “Since you can buy a Tesla, why can’t you refund my AirAsia tickets?”
“So I guess the salary payment won’t be late again this month,” Instagram user Nilofamilk_foryou wrote.
AirAsia has only been issuing refunds for unused airline tickets in the form of AirAsia credits, which were normally obtained after a tedious process that could take up a year.
Instagram user Nazihahhaniss is one of those who has been seeking refunds.
“Where is my refund?” she asked. “I’ve been waiting a whole year.”
Tesla, owned by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, began selling its electric vehicles in Malaysia in 2016. Model Y is one of its latest designs.
Fernandes posted a selfie with his new vehicle yesterday, with the caption: “Independence day. Going green. No more gasoline. Gone electric. Tesla model Y. Love it.”
He has not publicly responded to the barrage of comments criticizing him.
“Going Green my ass,” Art.oftheimage wrote, adding: “Getting people’s refunds processed ASAP is more important in difficult times like this. Stop messing around and be more responsible.”
“Pay your staff on time lah dei,” Thisisnizam11 said.
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