During Management Meeting, Shirtless and Female Massage... 'Korean Son-in-Law' CEO Faces Backlash
AirAsia CEO Sparks Controversy by Posting Photo on SNS
"We Should Love Our Company's Massage Culture"
Photo Deleted After Backlash... No Separate Explanation Given
Tony Fernandes, the CEO of AirAsia, Asia's largest airline, has sparked controversy by attending an executive meeting while receiving a massage without wearing a shirt.
![A photo of Tony Fernandes, CEO of AirAsia, receiving a massage during a meeting. The photo was deleted after controversy arose. <br>[Photo by LinkedIn capture]](http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/img_view.htm?img=2023101814385720099_1697607536.jpg)
A photo of Tony Fernandes, CEO of AirAsia, receiving a massage during a meeting. The photo was deleted after controversy arose.
[Photo by LinkedIn capture]
According to a report by the U.S. economic media Business Insider on the 17th, Fernandes mentioned Veranita Yosephine, CEO of AirAsia Indonesia, on the business social networking platform LinkedIn on the morning of the 16th, writing, "It has been a stressful week. Yosephine suggested a massage, and I love the AirAsia culture of having meetings while getting a massage."
In the photo posted along with the text, Fernandes was sitting shirtless on an office chair. A woman standing behind him, wearing an apron, hairnet, and mask, was massaging his shoulders.
The photo sparked widespread outrage online. Criticisms such as "This is an unprofessional work behavior" and "This is an uncomfortable work environment" were raised.
One netizen pointed out, "Most women would feel uncomfortable in this situation," adding, "It is inappropriate for an adult male CEO of a public enterprise to be shirtless and receiving a massage."
Although the original post has been deleted, criticism of Fernandes' attitude continues.
Tony Fernandes, who secretly held a wedding ceremony with a Korean woman.
Photo by Yonhap News
Previously, in 2001, Fernandes bought AirAsia, which was struggling at the time, from a large corporation owned by the Malaysian government and grew it into the most popular low-cost airline in Asia.
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Until July, he was also the owner of Queens Park Rangers (QPR), a club in the English Premier League where Park Ji-sung played, making him a familiar figure to domestic football fans. In October 2017, news of his marriage to a Korean woman was also reported.
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