Uh-oh! It looks like AirAsia made a major boo boo!
AirAsia is under fire for an offensive advertisement and has been called to withdraw the ad, which was placed on the back of the seats on its planes. The controversial ad has been viewed as offensive to nurses.
AirAsia was also asked to offer an immediate apology to all nurses in Malaysia by the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA).
The advertisement’s copy read, “You want your momma, because you are in the hospital with lousy nurses,” and it was used to promote Tune Insurance Malaysia’s travel protection package.
Datuk Dr N.K.S. Tharmaseelan, MMA president, said that the advertisement is offensive as it belittles the nursing profession.
“MMA is perturbed and objects to the offensive advertisement featured on the seatbacks of Air Asia planes,” said Tharmaseelan.
He added that the advertisement, carried all over their service routes, would be viewed by people of all nationalities and would send travellers a negative impression of Malaysian nurses.
“Painting an entire profession in ugly colours with the same brush is grossly unfair. Air Asia should vet adverts and not blindly accept adverts drawn up by their agents. The placing of such an advert is incomprehensible,” he said.
“This advert shows utter lack of understanding of the role of nurses. The basic role of nurses is to care for others in the best way possible- night or day. This advert reveals a condescending attitude, that verges on arrogance. This attitude that reveals a lack of care and empathy for others is to be abhorred,” added Tharmaseelan.
Besides him, Seok Lee started a petition on change.org for the advertisement to be withdrawn and it has now accumulated over 1,000 signatures.
“The ad seems to suggest that nurses are nothing more than maternal substitutes who wipe brows and fluff pillows. This unskilled stereotype contributes to the undervaluation of nursing by promoting the idea that nursing is not a distinct or substantial profession through which science-educated men and women save lives,” said the petition.
In face with the wrath of medical unions and the public, AirAsia posted an official apology on its Facebook page and the airline had assured the public that the matter will be taken seriously. The airline also said that the advert will be removed as soon as possible.
