Here's the gentleman's background. He was a graduate of a very tough engineering university (CalTech or MIT level), held managerial post at TOTAL, then indeed p2f.
I don't think I would describe the FO as P2F. The article linked only states that he financed his licenses and the A320 TR himself through his salary as a manager at TOTAL. It doesn't say anything about a P2F situation in his employ at AirAsia.