COMMENT | No transport minister in Malaysia can play an independent role if he is too close to the AirAsia group of companies, simply because the group commands such an extensive presence in the local and Southeast Asian low-cost airline arena.

But the re-appointed transport minister, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, shows no inclination to keep his distance from AirAsia, actually launching their cheap flight marketing campaign for the Chinese New Year holidays.

This prompted former DAP MP Wee Choo Keong to ask if Loke was AirAsia’s salesperson.

Furthermore at the same function, when asked a question about refunds of airfares for flights cancelled by airlines, a question which involves both AirAsia and its sister company AirAsia X, to the tune of at least RM1.4 billion ringgit, he deftly sidestepped the question.

Malaysiakini reported his reply as thus...