Tiong says airport ‘visit’ exposed corruption

UPDATED 1745 hrs with Malaysiakini report - see below FMT report

FMT:

Tiong says airport ‘visit’ exposed corruption

The tourism, arts and culture minister says he will lodge a report with the anti-graft agency.

Tourism, arts and culture minister Tiong King Sing denied that he was attempting to help secure the release of the foreigner. (Facebook pic)


PETALING JAYA: Tiong King Sing said his visit to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) had exposed the alleged corrupt activities at the country’s main gateway.

The tourism, arts and culture minister had also admitted that he was at the centre of the commotion recently.

“My presence uncovered a culture of corruption by a few officials and chronic abuse of power,” he said in a statement.

He added that he will be providing the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission with details.

Earlier today, transport minister Loke Siew Fook said airport authorities were investigating the incident where a minister had allegedly barged into the arrival hall without a pass to help a Chinese national who was detained.

Bebas News reported that a minister allegedly caused a commotion by entering the international arrival hall to help a Chinese citizen who was denied entry into the country.

The minister then allegedly scolded KLIA auxiliary police and immigration officers while trying to help the Chinese national.

However, Tiong denied that he was attempting to help secure the release of the foreigner.

“I have no authority for that, and I would only damage my own reputation if I did so.”

MORE TO COME

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Minister admits to KLIA commotion, says presence exposed corruption


Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing has broken his silence, admitting that he was the minister implicated in the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 commotion yesterday.

However, he claimed that his presence exposed corruption among officials at the airport.

“I’m grateful because my presence uncovered an event that embarrasses the country - that is, corruption among some officers and the chronic abuse of power at the country’s borders.

“I didn’t want to reveal this because I was acting on a more practical channel and platform. However, since this issue has gone viral, I will explain it,” he said in a statement.

Tiong clarified that the Chinese national he had defended was actually being detained without a reason given. He mentioned that both the immigration officer involved and the tourist also had communication issues.

“I was informed that the tourist had completed all the documentation but communication failure between the two parties prevented the Immigration Department from obtaining the necessary documents from her,” he said.

Tiong’s explanation comes after a report by BebasNews alleging that an unnamed minister had purportedly barged into the international arrivals hall to defend a Chinese national being barred from entering Malaysia.

BebasNews, quoting a source, reported that the minister learned about the incident and entered the KLIA arrivals hall without first applying for a pass.

Tiong today denied allegations levelled against him, which had claimed that he was releasing foreign tourists detained by immigration authorities.

“I have no authority to do that, and I would only damage my own reputation if I did so. I’m still sane and know my limits as tourism, arts and culture minister.

“But what's the use of me being a minister if I don't focus seriously on national interests?

“Besides, such matters affect our country’s image and scare away foreign tourists. If we are not serious about this issue now, it will never get resolved.

“Could it be that there are a few officials who are afraid that this matter will be revealed as it affects their personal interests?” he questioned.

[More to follow]