(March 18): When Stanley Choi became one of AirAsia Group Bhd’s biggest shareholders a month ago, he did so with no intention to pursue the aggressive tactics favoured by activists in Europe and the US. Instead, he saw an opportunity to create a buzz.

Choi, a poker-playing Hong Kong financier, boosted his stake in the Malaysian budget carrier to almost 9% on Feb 18 in a private placement at a cost of about US$27 million. He hadn’t previously been looking to invest in the travel industry.