Fernandes is the executive director and group CEO of AirAsia, while Kamarudin is executive chairman.
In a joint statement, they said no explanations had been sought from them over the allegations made in the “Airbus’ Deferred Prosecution Agreement” with Britain’s Serious Fraud Office.
“This is in clear violation of fundamental principles of fairness. We categorically deny any and all allegations of wrongdoing or misconduct on our part as directors of AirAsia.
“We would not harm the very companies that we spent our entire lives building up to their present global status.”
Acting CEO appointed, Tony and Kamarudin to be advisers
Tharumalingam Kanagalingam has been appointed as the acting chief executive of AirAsia Group Berhad in the interim, the company informed Bursa Malaysia earlier today, Bernama reported.
It said Fernandes and Kamarudin had been retained by the board committee of non-executive independent directors to be advisors to the company during the two-month period, “in view of the current difficult economic circumstances facing the airline industry”.
Kamarudin and Fernandes would be redesignated as non-independent non-executive board members.
Both Kamarudin and Fernandes said in their own statement that they welcomed any investigations by the authorities. “Will extend our fullest cooperation,” they added.
The share prices of AirAsia Group and AirAsia X Bhd plunged in active trading today after the bribery allegations surfaced.
At 5pm, AirAsia Group lost 15 sen to finish the day 10.49% lower at RM1.28 per share, with 57.67 million shares changing hands. AirAsia X dipped one sen to 12 sen, a fall of 7.69% with 32.97 million shares transacted.
The Securities Commission Malaysia had said that it will examine the statement of facts in the British case vs Airbus SE which disclosed several allegations against both companies.
AirAsia, in a statement released on Saturday, denied the allegations, saying it was neither involved in any way whatsoever with the UK Serious Fraud Office’s (SFO) investigation of European aircraft maker Airbus nor was it given an opportunity to provide any information or clarification to the SFO.
The articles alleged that certain agreements by AirAsia to order Airbus’ aircraft were improperly linked to sponsorship by the aircraft maker of a sports team jointly owned by two AirAsia executives.
In an immediate response, the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) has also initiated an investigation into allegations against both companies by contacting authorities in the United Kingdom.