KUALA LUMPUR: The AirAsia Group has been named by the United Kingdom’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) as among a number of foreign parties allegedly involved in bribery cases with aircraft engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce PLC.
The bribery allegation was among the 12 charges Rolls-Royce faces, following a four-year probe into its dealings with its clients in Indonesia, Thailand, India, Nigeria, Russia, China and Malaysia.
When contacted by NST Business, AirAsia co-founder Tony Fernandes said he would not personally comment on the issue but AirAsia will issue with a statement on Bursa Malaysia later today.
“Please read our Bursa Malaysia statement. That covers it all pretty well. It will be clear,” said Fernandes.
AirAsia’s denial comes after Rolls-Royce last week admitted to a string of bribery and corruption offences stretching over 23 years and a dozen countries as part of a £671m settlement with authorities in the UK, US and Brazil.
The company will not be prosecuted as long as it abides by the terms of the settlement, but UK and US investigators are expected to launch criminal charges against individuals in the coming months, the report said.
The report quoted AirAsia as saying that it had “followed all procedures” in obtaining credits from Rolls-Royce for the maintenance of a private jet.
At the time when the private jet credits were provided, AirAsia and Rolls-Royce were negotiating on the lease of aircraft with Rolls-Royce engines, for which the British company would provide servicing.
The purpose of the credits was not “clear or transparent” to anyone at AirAsia apart from a single senior employee, the report quoted the SFO as saying.