AirAsia Case

More than half the loan amount was to establish and operate a digital food supply chain and cold chain facilities in Sabah

Mahathir was replying to questions by reporters on the controversial sponsorship deal that executives of Malaysia's AirAsia Group Bhd struck with the budget carrier's sole plane supplier Airbus

AirAsia and Venkataramanan have denied the charges, saying the accusations were made with mala fide intention and will be defended in court

The CBI has registered a case against AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes, Venkataramanan and other officials for allegedly trying to manipulate government policies

AirAsia India also refuted the charge that the airline was being controlled by AirAsia Bhd in violation of foreign direct investment (FDI) norms