This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on February 12, 2019

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) and Malaysia Airports (Sepang) Sdn Bhd had yesterday demanded AirAsia Bhd and AirAsia X Bhd to immediately remove AirAsia Newsroom articles, which Malaysia Airports claims to be inaccurate and misleading.

Malaysia Airports said in a statement yesterday that it had served the letter of demand on AirAsia Bhd, Air-Asia X and their respective chief executive officers Riad Asmat and Benyamin Ismail in respect of the articles. Malaysia Airports did not specify the articles.

“While Malaysia Airports takes no issue with AirAsia informing its shareholders of the progress and status of court suits in accordance with the law, AirAsia has overstepped its boundaries by publishing false, inaccurate and misleading statements in the media aimed at damaging the reputation of Malaysia Airports. Following this, Malaysia Airports has no choice but to necessarily issue the letter of demand to protect its interests.

“Malaysia Airports maintains its long-standing position that the relevant dispute and related matters have all been presented before the courts for determination and parties should let the matters be decided by the courts. Hence, there is no necessity for AirAsia to make disparaging remarks about Malaysia Airports,” the airport operator said.

MAHB said it reserves its rights to take further necessary action should AirAsia refuse to comply with the letter of demand and persist in making further false, inaccurate and misleading statements about Malaysia Airports.