Retrenched Malindo staff bid farewell on Twitter

KUALA LUMPUR - A swarm of retrenched Malindo Airways Sdn Bhd crew members have posted their poignant signoffs on their last day with the company today after the troubled carrier announced a massive redundancy of some 2,200 staffers owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The postings from pilots, flight attendants and ground staff members poured in on Twitter, turning Malindo into a trending topic on the microblogging site.

“To all old colleagues in Malindo, although today is the darkest day in your lives, keep strong guys and carry on. InsyaAllah there will be better opportunites waiting for you elsewhere,” user ArmZucoMendoza said.

Another user, Shazwanie posted photos of the crew donned in Malindo uniform in an aircraft.

“Thank you, everyone, for your kind words. It was crucial 24 hours but I guess this is it. Sadly I’ve to clips my wings for real (sic),” she said.

“CC Shazwanie M07856 door disarmed and crossed check. Signing off.”

Irriana Azreen, who carries the Twitter handle @irriananana, shared several photos of her clad in an aviator's uniform with other flight crew members

“I’ve said my goodbye to this beasty. There was never a day I wasn’t happy to be around you. I have accepted the fate and I know this is not anyone’s fault. Aviation industry is just very sick:(," she posted.

“It was a pleasure team, it was an honour Malindo. Irriana Azreen signing out.”

Another user by the name of Khairun Nasuha thanked Malindo for “all the memories” at the company

“From (my) trainees days until entering the job. Never ever imagined this day would come, but Allah’s plan is always beautiful than our desire. Stay strong, dear self,” she said.

Others, such as user  @ainn_AJ described this as a “terribly sad and heartbreaking day for us in Malindo”, and offered her prayers.

“To all my brothers & sisters out there. This is not the end of our journey. Stay strong because that is the only option we have. Read this doa InsyaAllah, May Allah ease everything for all of us Red heart (SIC).”

On Wednesday, The Vibes reported the company had effectively cut off more than half of its 3,200-strong workforce after sighting its retrenchment notice issued to staff members.

The company informed staff members it was “forced to take several measures to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on our business”.

Malindo chief executive Captain Mushafiz Mustafa Bakri, in a statement, said Malindo was earning only 10% of its pre-pandemic monthly revenue despite having reduced its fleet by half.

The company said staffers were notified of the termination compensation benefits, adding that affected staff members would receive assistance via Socso’s Employment Insurance Scheme. - The Vibes, October 31, 2020