CAPITAL A chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes today unveiled plane livery dedicated to Sabah’s tourism icon, the late Datuk Irene Benggon Charuruks, fulfilling a promise in 2021 that he would name a jet after her.
Charuruks served as Sabah Tourism general manager for 25 years from 1991. She died aged 70 on February 16, 2021, due to illness during the Covid-19 lockdown.
In a touching message, Fernandes credited Charuruks as the catalyst to AirAsia’s success, describing his relationship to her as “a jealous lover”. He said he did not hesitate to name a plane after Charuruks when the idea was proposed.
Fernandes promised to name a plane after Charuruks three days after her death.
“I do miss her. We used to have many arguments. I used to be like a jealous lover when she supported another airline. I would not talk to her for many months. But I really credit her for where AirAsia is today.
“When I was told, it was not my idea, to be honest, and suddenly, we really wanted to dedicate a plane to Irene. It was within a second that we agreed (to it) and I am so glad we are here today,” he said during the launching of the livery in Kota Kinabalu today.
Also present were Sabah Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Capital A executive chairman Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, and Charuruks’ daughters Zudevi, Zurani and Zuhun.
Capital A owns budget airline AirAsia.
Fernandes said the livery was designed after a Murut traditional pattern called “Natapuan”, which was Charuruk’s favourite.
He recalled the first time he met Charuruks, which was after she read an article of the plan to start the budget airline in 2001.
“They came and listened to our story and said we want you to be the Sabah unofficial airline. Irene said ‘there’s something about you’ to me... ‘I read your article and there’s something in your face that you’re going to succeed’.
“Since then we really have delivered for Sabah. It’s all thanks to Irene. 100%. She took us to meet the chief minister at the time, because we had no money, and were introduced to the Sabah Development Bank, which gave us a RM20 million loan. We didn’t have money to pay legal fees so we did not take the loan.
“But they were the first people. I really want to dedicate (this to them), plus we have really never named a plane after a person.
“This is the start of us honouring people, so it is appropriate we name our plane after Irene, because she was really a wonderful woman,” Fernandes said.
Bangkuai said Charuruks played a pivotal role in putting Sabah on the map.
“Sabah’s rich heritage, vibrant culture and renowned festivals gained global admiration, mainly due to the Charuruks’ dedicated hard work for 25 years.
“Charuruks has left an indelible mark and set the benchmark in achievements and values – ensuring continuity, stability and clear expectations for future tourism leaders,” he said.
AirAsia controls 75% of Sabah’s airline market, with 331 flights from Kota Kinabalu to 21 destinations.
Fernandes called AirAsia a sort of “Sabah’s official airline”.
He said Sabah would remain special to AirAsia, adding that “the plan for Sabah is huge”.
“We got Seoul coming. We got Jakarta coming. Seoul will be announced next week. In fact, the Kota Kinabalu-Seoul (flight) will be announced tomorrow, which is a route Irene mentioned to me the very first time (we met).
“I want to dedicate that to her as she really wanted to bring in Koreans. We also got Japan around the corner,” he said.
Fernandes said AirAsia is on track to recover to its pre-Covid-19 capacity with 10 planes, adding that plans were afoot to up its fleet to 12 planes, with A330 aircraft.
“We always thought Sabah could be the hub for the Bimp-Eaga (Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area),” he said. – The Vibes, December 4, 2023.
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