Transport Minister Anthony Loke has accused Dewan Negara president S Vigneswaran of knowingly flouting security protocol when using the VIP lounge at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) recently.

Vigneswaran, who is also MIC president, has in turn denied doing so and said the minister was being unfair to him by not allowing him the chance to explain himself.

At a press conference today, Loke produced closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage dated Nov 14 which showed Vigneswaran arriving at the airport’s VIP lounge wearing slippers before he was stopped by the aviation security personnel.

“It is clear (from the video) that the VVIP did not follow the clothing etiquette. In this context, he was wearing slippers. Our officer told him that he could not enter because they needed to keep up the image of the VIP lounge [...]

“It is clear that he menceroboh (trespassed), he just went through, even though without this (security) pass. He ignored the security officer.

“He refused to be searched and just walked through. He then went downstairs to the (VIP lounge) counter, and scolded and shouted at our officer,” Loke said at KLIA today.

By entering the VIP lane of the airport without a security pass, Loke (photo) said Vigneswaran had encroached upon the area and possibly violated the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act 1959.

The law prescribes offenders a two-year prison term, an RM1,000 fine, or both.

Also present at the press conference was KLIA customer experience personnel Norafiza Mohd Nasir, who had been on duty at the VIP lounge that night.

She claimed Vigneswaran had raised his voice at her when she showed him a government circular stating the dress code.

“He arrived (at the lounge) and argued why he was not allowed inside. I told him he could use the VIP lounge but was not allowed to the (departure) gate because he was not wearing shoes.

“[...] He was not satisfied and became angry, he asked ‘where does it say in the circular that you can’t wear slippers’.

“[...] When he held the circular, he threw it and walked off while mouthing some other comments,” she told the media.

When contacted, Vigneswaran admitted he did not have a security pass with him that night but said security personnel were the ones to blame.

He also accused Norafiza for interpreting the footwear ruling unfairly.

“I contacted him (Loke) today and asked him to call me when he is able to. He chose not to hear to my side of the story,” he said, offering his version of events.

Loke: Set a good example

At the press conference, Loke said Vigneswaran ought to have followed the rules.

“It is nothing personal.

“[...] I expect the president of the Senate to show a good example,” he said.

He explained that he had chosen to highlight this incident to stress that all VIPs, including ministers and top government officials, needed to abide by the law and cooperate with government officials.

“If I do not defend my civil servants, they might worry about being bullied by people of high status when doing their job,” he added.

Next, the ministry will send a full report of the incident to the Prime Minister’s Department, which oversees privileges offered to top government personnel. 

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