AirAsia CEO draws ire for enjoying topless massage while holding online meeting

AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes reacts during an interview in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Oct. 8, 2020. Photo by Reuters

"I don’t think the women in your company would feel comfortable or safe in this context," commented Rebecca Nadillo, an executive who has worked for Meta and advertising agency BBDO, under Fernandes’ post. "And given you’re the boss, they likely won’t challenge you or say anything."

In the now-deleted photo uploaded to his LinkedIn profile, the Malaysian entrepreneur is seen receiving a topless massage while sitting in front of an iPad for a virtual meeting, reported The Guardian.

Tony Fernandes receives a topless massage while sitting in front of an iPad for a virtual meeting. Photo from Tony Fernandes' LinkedIn

Though he justified in the accompanying caption that he was having a "stressful week", and the massage was suggested to him by a colleague, Fernandes has since been criticized for his attitude, according to CNBC.

Several users on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, also called Fernandes out for being "unprofessional" and "disrespectful."

Graduating from one of Britain’s top private schools Epsom College, Fernandes, 59, bought AirAsia from the Malaysian government for less than $1 in 2001.

Forbes estimates his net worth at around $335 million.