Fernandes’ flight of fancy: Demands compensation from Microsoft but ignores plight of his own passengers

Focus Malaysia:

Fernandes’ flight of fancy: Demands compensation from Microsoft but ignores plight of his own passengers

By Jonathan Liew

TAN SRI Tony Fernandes, the flamboyant and controversial CEO of Capital A Bhd (previously AirAsia Group Bhd) is once again making headlines.

This time, he is demanding compensation from Microsoft for a recent CrowdStrike outage that disrupted his AirAsia airlines operations. The irony here is almost too perplexing to digest.

Here we have a top executive known for his airline’s less-than-stellar record on customer compensation now clamouring for reparations. It’s a plot twist worthy of a tragic comedy!

Fernandes’ demand for compensation from Microsoft would be amusing if it weren’t so hypocritical. Under his leadership, AirAsia has garnered a damning reputation for its reluctance to compensate passengers – in real cash terms– for delays, cancellations and other service disruptions.

Has Fernandes suddenly discovered the importance of customer service when he’s on the receiving end of lousy performance?

One can’t help but recall the numerous complaints from AirAsia passengers left in the lurch. These are stories of traveller’s stranded for hours – if not days – with little to no communication from the airline and even less hope of compensation.

Attitude smacks of hypocrisy

This is especially so for those whose flight plans were cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic. Four years have lapsed but there’s still no light at the end of the tunnel for those aggrieved.

They were denied cash refunds but forced into receiving vouchers instead. Not only that, many couldn’t use their vouchers for the original destinations. No explanation was given.

Yet, here we have Fernandes expecting swift compensation for the inconvenience and financial loss caused to him and his company.

This episode highlights a glaring double standard in Fernandes’ approach to accountability. When it’s AirAsia at fault, the airline is notoriously slow to acknowledge its responsibilities.

But when he and his company are on the receiving end of poor customer service, he suddenly transforms into a consumer activist.

His indignation at Microsoft’s service disruption would be more convincing if it weren’t for his airline’s abysmal track record. AirAsia passengers have long endured delays and cancellations, often without satisfactory explanations or timely compensation.

It’s a bitter pill for them to swallow, watching their CEO now demand what they’ve been denied for so long.

Let’s not forget that AirAsia has been fined multiple times for failing to comply with compensation regulations. In 2019, the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) penalised the airline for failing to disclose its additional airfare charges to customers.

Passengers have taken to social media countless times, sharing their frustrations over delayed flights and unfulfilled compensation promises. These incidents paint a stark contrast to Fernandes’ current demands.

Perhaps this experience will give Fernandes a taste of what his passengers have long endured. It’s easy to demand compensation when you’re the aggrieved party but far more challenging to offer it when you’re the one at fault.

Fernandes’ recent outburst should serve as a wake-up call, a reminder that the principles of fairness and accountability apply to all – including himself and his airline. – July 26, 2024

Main image credit: Getty Images/New York Times

Minister of Socks socked it to Tokong

 

FMT:

Akmal comes to Fadhlina’s

defence after Guan Eng

attack

FMT Reporters

-26 Jul 2024, 10:38 PM

Umno Youth leader says Lim Guan Eng should not be rude about education minister Fadhlina Sidek’s role as a Malay-Muslim minister.

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Umno Youth leader Dr Akmal Saleh said education minister Fadhlina Sidek was upholding the law as a Malay-Muslim minister. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh has defended education minister Fadhlina Sidek after she faced criticism from DAP’s Lim Guan Eng in a controversy over a beer company’s contribution to a Chinese school’s fundraising efforts.

Akmal said Lim should not be rude. He said the government’s policy to ban such contributions was to protect racial and religious sensitivities.

He said: 

Fadhlina was speaking in her capacity as a minister upholding the law, and one that was made as a Malay-Muslim minister. My advice to you, please don’t be rude,

 he said in a Facebook post.

I want to remind Lim and DAP that this is an Islamic country and Islam is the religion of the federation and the majority of its people are Malay Muslims,

 he said.

Earlier today, Lim took Fadhlina to task, saying she should be a minister under the unity government and should not listen to PAS.

PAS took issue with an event where a deputy minister was seen posing together with a mock cheque for RM3 million from a brewery at a Chinese school’s fundraising event in Selangor.

The education ministry said schools cannot accept donations generated from activities such as gambling, as well as the sale of tobacco, drugs and alcohol.

Fadhlina later said the ministry would not review or grant exemptions for the guidelines on donations given to schools, including for vernacular schools.

China says relations with Japan at 'critical stage'

 

Reuters:

China says relations with Japan at 'critical stage'

July 26, 2024, 6:56 PM GMT+10, Updated 13 hours ago

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting at National Convention Center, in Vientiane, Laos, July 26, 2024. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

VIENTIANE, July 26 (Reuters) - Relations between China and Japan are at a critical stage, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Japanese counterpart on Friday as the pair discussed thorny issues including Japanese nationals detained in China, food import bans and semiconductor curbs.

Wang met Japan's Yoko Kamikawa on the sidelines of a gathering of foreign ministers hosted by the Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN in Laos, ahead of Saturday's East Asia Summit and the security-focused ASEAN Regional Forum.

Relations between the neighbours have been testy in recent years over issues including territorial claims, trade tensions and Beijing's anger over Tokyo's decision to release treated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea.

But over the last few months, Chinese and Japanese officials have moved to resume several consultative talks for the first time in years, signalling ties may be on a steadier footing.

"China-Japan relations are currently at a critical point: advance or be left behind," Wang told Kamikawa, according to a readout of the talks issued by the Chinese foreign ministry.

"China's policy towards Japan has always maintained stability and continuity. It is hoped that the Japanese side will establish an objective and correct perception of China and pursue a positive and rational policy towards China."

In their first one-to-one talks in eight months, Kamikawa strongly urged the lifting of import restrictions Beijing imposed on Japan food products in the wake of the Fukushima water release.

She also called for the early release of Japan detainees in China. The arrest of a well-connected executive from Japanese drugmaker Astellas Pharma (4503.T), in China last year has had what some Tokyo officials described as a considerable chilling effect on business, contributing to a drop in foreign investment and an exodus of Japanese expatriates.

"It is extremely important to create an environment in which Japanese nationals and Japanese companies can operate in China with peace of mind," Kamikawa told Wang, according to a readout issued by Japan's foreign ministry.

Japan, a close U.S. ally, has along with other G7 countries sought to wean off its economic links with China in strategic areas and aligned with the United States in ongoing curbs to limit Beijing's access to advanced semiconductors.

Kamikawa told Wang Japan's semiconductor export restrictions were not aimed at any specific country, and Japan is willing to maintain constructive communication on the issue with China, according to China's readout.

The two ministers said they would seek to build up regular communications and had extended mutual invites to visit their respective countries to continue talks, according to Japan's foreign ministry.

al Jazeera: 

More than 180,000 displaced from Gaza’s Khan Younis in four days, UN says

‘About 182,000 people’ displaced from central and eastern Khan Younis from Monday – Thursday, UN OCHA says.

Internally displaced Palestinians walk along Salah al-Din Street during an Israeli military operation in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, July 25, 2024 [Mohammed Saber/EPA-EFE]

Published On 26 Jul 202426 Jul 2024

More than 180,000 Palestinians have fled bombardment around the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis in four days, the United Nations has said.

Recent “intensified hostilities” in the Khan Younis area, more than nine months into the Israeli war, have fuelled “new waves of internal displacement across Gaza”, said the UN humanitarian agency OCHA on Friday.

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It said that “about 182,000 people” have been displaced from central and eastern Khan Younis between Monday and Thursday, while “hundreds of other people remain stranded in eastern Khan Younis”.

The Israeli military on Monday issued evacuation orders for parts of the southern city, announcing its forces would “forcefully operate” there, including in an area previously declared a safe humanitarian zone.

Earlier, an Al Jazeera team in Deir el-Balah reported that at least 18 people were killed in Israeli air raids on Khan Younis.

Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary, reporting from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, reported that people injured in the attacks could not be reached “because the Israeli military did not give them time to evacuate after ordering the evacuation”.

“People who managed to evacuate are on the streets; they did not have time to gather their belongings,” she said.

“They are suffering from the heat, the diseases spreading, and the poor hygienic conditions causing skin rashes and other issues,” Khoudary noted.

Two more deaths were reported in Gaza City in the north and one death in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the centre of the enclave, according to Al Jazeera’s team on the ground.

Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum in Deir el-Balah reported that Israeli warplanes also bombed the eastern areas of the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza.

Israel’s military said in a statement that troops battled Palestinian fighters in Khan Younis and destroyed tunnels and other infrastructure, as they sought to suppress small units that have continued to hit troops with mortar fire.

The military said troops had killed about 100 Palestinian fighters since Israeli troops began their latest operation in Khan Younis on Monday, which continued as pressure mounted for a deal to halt the fighting.

It said seven small units that had been firing mortars at the troops were hit in an air raid, while further south, in Rafah, four fighters were also killed in air raids.

A Telegram channel operated by the armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, the two main armed groups in Gaza, said fighters had been waging fierce battles with Israeli troops east of Khan Younis with machineguns, mortars and antitank weapons.

The UN Security Council ‘has failed’: Mansour

Later on Friday, Palestine’s UN envoy Riyad Mansour slammed the UN Security Council (UNSC) for failing to secure a ceasefire and bring an end to Israel’s nine-month-old war on the Gaza Strip.

“We have collectively failed. This council has failed,” the Palestinian envoy said during a special council session on the humanitarian response in Gaza.

“We can continue counting aid trucks and speaking of routes and imagining alternatives, but the only true measure of our success is our ability to alleviate human suffering – and the suffering of Palestinians is Israel’s goal and desire,” Mansour said.

“Whatever solutions you come up with, [Israel] will continue ensuring they fail until it is forced to change course. And the first, indispensable step is an immediate ceasefire.”

Riyad H Mansour, Permanent Observer of Palestine to the UN,  July 17, 2024 [Eduardo Munoz/Reuters]

Israeli UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan began his address to the UNSC by retelling the story of his family’s extermination at the hands of the Nazis.

“To this time of unfathomable hatred, we refer to as ‘never again’,” he said. “Yet, never again happened again.”

Erdan said this time, the perpetrators of the October 7 attacks were “Hamas Nazis” who had the objective of exterminating the Jews.

“We will defend ourselves from those who seek to annihilate us,” he said.

At least 39,175 people have been killed and 90,403 injured in Israel’s war on Gaza, according to Palestinian authorities.

The death toll in Israel from the Hamas-led attacks on October 7 is estimated at 1,139, with dozens of people still held captive in Gaza.

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, March 25, 2024 [Andrew Kelly/Reuters]

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES

Why bank workers say they’ll hold their ground, as picket against bosses to continue

Why bank workers say they’ll hold their ground, as picket against bosses to continue

Members of the National Union of Bank Employees (Nube) picket at Maybank Bukit Bintang in Kuala Lumpur July 26, 2024. — Picture by Raymond Manuel

Friday, 26 Jul 2024 7:26 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 — Bank workers continued their five-day nationwide picket today amid claims employers have refused to cooperate following months of deadlock in negotiations for a salary raise and more benefits, as part of a new Collective Agreement that is negotiated every three years.

The demonstrations were likely the longest and largest in recent years, underscoring what the National Union of Bank Employees (Nube) described as the growing resentment felt towards top bank executives over issues like wage disparity, lack of career development programmes and toxic bosses.


The last of the pickets was held at Maybank’s Bukit Bintang branch here, attended by hundreds of staff and Nube members.

The union’s secretary-general J. Solomon told Malay Mail at the sideline the picket will continue “five days a week until a resolution is reached”.

Members of the National Union of Bank Employees (Nube) picket at Maybank Bukit Bintang in Kuala Lumpur July 26, 2024. — Picture by Raymond Manuel


Here’s a recap of what caused bank workers to take the streets and the latest on the issue:


What caused them to demonstrate?

The call to picket followed banks’ rejection of the terms Nube is demanding under the 2024-2027 CA. Among the demands is a 21 per cent raise in their salaries alongside other benefits, including a fixed training programme to open up career progression. A CA is negotiated between Nube and Banks every three years.

Solomon said there is no reason why banks cannot meet this demand, citing various news reports of soaring profits in the last few years. The decision to picket happened after attempts to begin negotiations were ignored, ostensibly because employers did not agree to the new terms.

Members of the National Union of Bank Employees (Nube) picket at Maybank Bukit Bintang in Kuala Lumpur July 26, 2024. — Picture by Raymond Manuel


How did banks respond to the pickets?

Bank executives, through the Malayan Commercial Banks’ Association (MCBA), insisted that they have always acted fairly, including paying “competitive” compensation and benefits.

It also urged the workers to resume dialogue, expressing concern that the pickets could disrupt operations and incur losses. The association claimed that executives have always maintained an open channel of communication.

Solomon, however, alleged not one single negotiation has taken place nor have the banks shown any interest in wanting to negotiate. Instead, he claimed banks have begun to “react” with union-busting tactics, among it being preventing their staff from attending trade union training next week.

Members of the National Union of Bank Employees (Nube) picket at Maybank Bukit Bintang in Kuala Lumpur July 26, 2024. — Picture by Raymond Manuel


What now?

The picket will continue every working day until a resolution is reached, Solomon said. Next week, the picket will take place at the Kota Damansara Standard Chartered branch. When asked if the union is considering striking if no agreement can be reached soon, Solomon suggested it’s something they may consider.

In the past, pickets have largely succeeded in forcing employers to make concessions. Nube said their pickets have not disrupted bank services and have been organised with careful considerations so as not to bother customers.

But whether banks will negotiate this time remains to be seen. Solomon said any plan to strike will need to be put to a vote. Still, he’s optimistic members will agree.

“I believe we will get the vote (to strike) if we want to,” he said.

China Takes Big Gamble In Middle East

 

OutSyed The Box

Thursday, July 25, 2024

China Takes Big Gamble In Middle East

Folks I have not blogged much about local issues lately because local issues are just too stupid.  And in today's environment if any of these donkeys fell off the bed and hit his bum, who knows, they may get into a bad mood and say 'get him'. 

China has recently "mediated" a reconciliation between 14 different Arab groups from the West Bank and Gaza.  Here is the Global Times. My comments in blue.

China stands with a bunch of corrupt, tribalistic and cut-throat factions.

China successfully mediates Palestinians to sign ‘historic' reconciliation

OSTB : If they had respect for their words and promises they would not be in their present predicament. To think that they will now honour their "promises" just because they signed a piece of paper in Beijing is really delusional. 

Plus the Muslim Brotherhood is not here. The Muslim Brotherhood controls Gaza. They are also responsible for the war and massacres in Sudan. Surely China did not overlook this little fact.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi witnesses signing of declaration on ending division and strengthening unity by 14 Palestinian factions, in Beijing on July 23, 2024. 

What is China hoping to get? This is a snake pit. They have not reconciled for decades. Why would they reconcile now? China is just a witness, and a facilitator. And it is just a declaration. By now the Arabs in this picture would have returned home  and forgotten all about this "declaration".

high-level representatives of 14 factions reconciliation dialogue in Beijing 

OSTB : High level representatives? That one fellow, fifth from right, is wearing worn out sneakers. How high level is that? That lady's suit is possibly made by Omar The Tent Maker from Nablus. Her head is not covered, so she cannot be from Gaza. Muslim Brotherhood remember?

core outcome of dialogue is to specify PLO as sole legitimate rep of all factions 

OSTB : This must be a joke.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad need to join with PLO

OSTB : This is getting to be really hilarious.

reps from Egypt, Algeria, Saudi, Jordan plus others, attended closing ceremony.

OSTB : The Abrahamic Accord supporters.

post-conflict governance of Gaza 'Palestinians governing Palestine.' 

OSTB :  On Oct 7th, 2023 the Israelis lost 1,200 people killed plus 250 kidnapped. The IDF has lost 683 soldiers killed. Todate Israel has spent over US$60 billion on this war. Israel has been attacked on a daily basis by Hezbollah, by Iran and by the Houthis from Yemen. After suffering all this losses and attacks does China seriously expect Israel to say, 'Ok the war is over now. You guys can take over Gaza'. Somehow I dont think that is going to happen.

China successfully mediated diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia

OSTB : China should compare camels with camels. Iran is Persian, Shia, mad ayatollah dictatorship, sitting on a knife edge all the time. Saudi are Arabs, Wahabi / Salafi, royal family dictatorship, they can chop-chop that Khashoggi fellow - so they also sit on a knife edge all the time.  Hmm...maybe they are alike.

My Conclusion.

To the Chinese Foreign Minister, to Global Times always bear this in mind when you deal with this part of the world. Each time they open their mouth to speak, they tell lies. They are quite incapable of telling the truth.  Even if you ask them the time, do not expect them to tell you the correct time. Keep this in mind before you have any dealings with them. (I speak from some experience).

Now here is what I see.

I did not know there were 14 different factions to begin with. My ignorance. But I doubt even the Palestinians know about all these 14 factions in their midst. The guy wearing the sneakers looks like someone woke him up and told him 'Abu Harbi, you are going to Beijing. Put on your sneakers'.

There is only one problem "faction" and they are not present in Beijing. That is the Muslim Brotherhood which runs Gaza. The Brotherhood is not "Palestinian". They are Egyptian. This is the problem.

The PLO (Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian Authority aka Fatah) would have grabbed this opportunity to go to Beijing because they are totally corrupt, they have ZERO popularity in Gaza and if there are free and democratic elections it is most likely that the PLO will lose in the West Bank as well. They are on their way out. So this Beijing declaration is a lifeline for them.

Not to be outdone it has been reported time and again that the top three leaders of Hamas, who live in luxury in Qatar, have a combined wealth of US$11.2 billion.  How did they get so much money? They have not denied this so far. US$11.2 Billion is about RM52.0 billion. They can easily buy up Tenaga Nasional or Khazanah Nasional. That is how much wealth these fellows have.

And yet negara Benua Tenggalam has promised to help raise another RM100,0 million for them. Why not tell them to use some of their own RM52.0 billion to help their people. Tell them to use their father's money first. Why give them our father's money?

The Hamas have been almost completely wiped out in Gaza by the Israelis. The Israelis have now divided Gaza into at least two main zones, north and south. The Israelis are carrying out mopping up operations to fully root out Hamas fighters. This is taking sometime. But it looks like they are on some schedule. 

So the Hamas does not lose anything by signing this Beijing Declaration. It gives them a toehold in Gaza.  Which they will easily convert  into a firm foothold. The alternative is being fully wiped out by the Israelis in Gaza.

The remaining 12 factions are of much less significance. The Chinese want to show that they have "ALL" the factions on board, including the guy wearing the sneakers. 

What do the Chinese get in return? Well what does this Beijing Declaration cost the Chinese? It does not cost China anything. Plus the downside risks are very small. If this "reconciliation" fails (which I can assure you it will) it does not cost China anything. China has little skin in the game.

But the upside potential is very high. If China is successful then it is indeed a new world order in the Middle East. With China occupying the drivers seat. And Russia as the co-driver. 

Here is why this "reconciliation" will fail. All the factions are corrupted to the core. The Muslim Brotherhood runs on 'religion'. World caliphate, Islamic sharia etc. Non Muslims (Christian Arabs) not welcome. Women stay at home.

On the other hand, the PLO or Fatah or Palestinian Authority is secular. They have Muslims, Christians in their membership. One of the early founders of the PLO movement was George Habash - a Christian doctor. 

Seculer and 'world caliphate' just cannot mix. 
It is actually an explosive mix. 
Then there is Israel. And the United States.
Then there is Saudi Arabia. And the UAE.