Loke accuses Dewan Negara president of flouting KLIA security protocol

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

Vigneswaran, who is also MIC president, has in turn denied doing so and said Loke 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.

Loke (photo) added that despite not being a passenger that night, Vigneswaran ought to have followed the rules. 

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

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 denied flouting any security protocol at the lounge and claimed he was never given the chance to explain himself.

[More to follow] - Mkini

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