Tony Fernandes is a thief, claims MP

(The Malay Mail) - Barisan Nasional's fiery Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin called businessman Tan Sri Tony Fernandes (pic) a "penyagak" (thief) in the Dewan Rakyat today.

The outspoken MP, known for heckling opposition MPs and for being one of the louder voices in the House, was speaking during the Transport Ministry's wrap up during the committee stage of the ministry's Budget 2013 debate when he made his distaste for Fernandes and AirAsia known.

"We all know that Tony Fernandes is a penyagak (thief). He will want 100 per cent profit in everything. He invests in everything, even sports," Bung said, while discussing the issue of whether the low cost airline would shift its operations to KLIA2 once the government completes its construction in April next year.

Bung was unapologetic each time AirAsia's name was brought up during the wrap up, going as far as saying that the airline can "berambus" (get out) from the country, in light of suggestions that the carrier could shift its operations to Indonesia.

"I think on behalf of the people of Malaysia, I would say AirAsia can berambus from the country," he said.

Bung claimed that the government is giving too much consideration to AirAsia's demands, and said that the government's leniency with the low cost airline is what's causing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to be mired in debt.

Earlier, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha told the Dewan Rakyat that the government is not reliant for AirAsia to shift its operations to KLIA2 upon the terminal's completion in order to recoup the state's investment in the terminal.

"In KLIA, we host 60 airline companies, not one company alone. So KLIA2 will be similar," Kong said curtly.

He said that AirAsia had not officially stated that they would shift to KLIA2 yet and went on to add that the airline is currently co-operating in the relocation process.