'What's wrong in asking for prayers?' - AirAsia chairman hits back at Zaid

“What is wrong with asking for prayers? I would have done the same thing,” Kamarudin wrote on his Facebook page.

"What is wrong with asking for prayers in whatever religion especially when you are in a tight position, seeking divine intervention while doing whatever humanely possible.

"Making statements are always easy when you are safely on the ground. Such a situation will never be easy to manage, but objective was very clear, to land the aircraft safely and ensure safety of all on board, and that Alhamdulillah they did.

"He was calm and in control, and as a believer, he asked everyone to pray with him as he guided the plane to safety," he wrote.

The flight with 359 people on board was bound for Kuala Lumpur from Perth but returned to Perth Airport due to a 'technical reason'.

Several news reports said that the flight was shaking "like a washing machine" during the incident.

Zaid through his Twitter page yesterday, criticised the pilot over what he claimed as an ‘irresponsible act’.

“AirAsia pilot urged passengers to pray on distress Perth flight. Good lord, I much prefer pilot don't tell me death is imminent.

“Pilot has to give hope, and leave the rest to God and the passengers. If Air Asia are big into prayers; engage proper Iman and priest,” he tweeted.

Following the incident, AirAsia X said it is investigating the incident.

“We are currently conducting an investigation into the cause of the incident together with our engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce.