DPM forced to take off shoes and belt in US airport, Parliament told

comments     Susan Loone     Published     Updated

Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was asked to take off his shoes and belt during an immigration check while flying from Los Angeles to New York City, a government backbencher told Parliament today.

While debating the Budget 2003, Zulhasnan Rafique (BN-Wangsa Maju) said the United States Immigration had "embarrassed" Abdullah with stringent checks although the premier-in-waiting held a diplomatic passport and a G-visa, which was issued to government representatives.

According to Zulhasnan, Abdullah was held up at the Los Angeles airport and forced to undergo stringent checks while on his way to speak at the United Nations' General Assembly in New York last month.

"These [checks] included [forcing] the deputy prime minister to take off his shoes and belt," he lamented.

"If this [were to happen] to me, it is fine, for who am I? [After all,] I do not have a diplomatic or G-visa to say that I represent the government," Zulhasan said.

"But as this happened to our deputy premier, I want to ask the Foreign Ministry to explain if any such [requirements were made of] other government leaders who visited the US," he continued.

For the rest of this story and more, subscribe for only RM150 a year. If you're already a subscriber, please sign in.

Sign in Subscribe now


Malaysiakini
news and views that matter


Sign In