We need a maverick like Tiong to rock the boat

 

If anyone thinks that the cabinet would be taking disciplinary action against Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing for the KLIA incident last week, they must be very disappointed.

There was not a single report in the media (at least not in the English press) on the incident after last Wednesday’s cabinet meeting. I was also expecting an update from the cabinet but was equally disappointed that there was none.

After all, Tiong (above) himself said that he would present a detailed report to the cabinet on what actually transpired at the airport that June 28 morning.

So, let me assume what happened at the meeting - that is, if the cabinet had actually met with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in the chair.

Let me state what was on my mind even before the cabinet sat last Wednesday. I believe the prime minister has already decided what to do - let the matter rest and move on - even before listening to Tiong’s report.

Anwar had made a spot check at KLIA earlier and could possibly have gathered first-hand info on the “minister’s commotion” as well as the Immigration Department’s SOPs on the entry of foreign nationals into the country.

The prime minister later expressed satisfaction with his visit, noting that the majority of those working at the airport were exemplary staff, save for a few rotten apples.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim visiting KLIA on July 2

After listening to Tiong’s report at the meeting, the prime minister - acting like the tactful and composed leader he has envisaged himself to be - skillfully avoided any lengthy discussion on the incident, noted his tourism minister’s report with thanks, and concluded that he was leaving it to the appropriate authorities to investigate the corruption at the airport claim by Tiong.

The prime minister was probably aware that the issue has taken on a “racial” turn as it involves Chinese nationals, Tiong being a Chinese minister, and with mostly Chinese leaders in the coalition government supporting the tourism minister for his action.

On the other side, it was Malay politicians from Perikatan Nasional, Malay academicians, Malay NGO leaders, and even the Umno Youth leader, who had slammed Tiong for breaching airport security to “rescue” a Chinese national.

Anwar is no greenhorn leader; he knows and could sense trouble when there is one. He couldn’t afford internal bickering among his allies, not when six important state elections are looming.

So, Anwar did what he thought was the best way out of the controversy. As prime minister, he is aware that the incident would surely have a negative impact on his government.

Not a new issue

Already, the Chinese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has expressed its dissatisfaction and disgruntlement on the incident, noting that this was not an isolated case involving Chinese nationals at the airport.

I’m not sure how effective the prime minister’s attempt at damage control would be, as corruption at KLIA, Malaysia’s premier entry point, is now well publicised and has turned into an international embarrassment for the country.

The hanky-panky going on at KLIA is not something alien to locals and foreigners alike. Many Malaysian and foreign travellers have related their nasty experiences with immigration officers at the airport.

I’ve read this comment by a Malaysiakini reader and I agree totally: “It is the elephant in the room that has evolved into a permanent fixture. Initially tolerated, later unashamedly encouraged, and finally incorporated into the DNA of everything that breathes in that room. it is too far gone to be rectifiable”.

And yes, am I glad that we have a maverick like Tiong to rock the boat!

The tourism minister is not known to act like a nice guy or a patient minister when he wants to resolve matters quickly. He will say it out loud for all to hear, if necessary. And rightly so, this time.

The minister’s statement was clear - he was in KLIA that evening to expose corruption among officials at the airport. He has urgent business to attend to - carrying out his duties as tourism minister and helping the government fight graft.

“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,” stressed Tiong.

Many Malaysians were supportive of Tiong’s courageous act and had expressed their gratitude to the minister for rocking the boat at KLIA, stressing that corruption at entry points into Malaysia was a disease that must be nipped in the bud quickly.

Telling it as it is

Looking back, I’ve noted that Tiong had turned down an offer by then Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to join the cabinet as a deputy minister after the Sheraton putsch in 2020.

Tiong considered that an insult as he is the president of a party in Sarawak. A deputy minister is a junior post; either you give him a full minister’s post or not at all. Eventually, Muhyiddin appointed Tiong as Malaysia’s Special Envoy to China with a ministerial rank.

Apparently, Anwar knows how to deal with a maverick like the PDP president. Either appoint him a minister or to an equivalent position. Don’t slight Tiong with a junior post.

The prime minister did right. He appointed Tiong as the tourism, arts and culture minister. Tiong is a doer, he does not beat around the bush. He calls a spade a spade.

On my part, I have also criticised Tiong in November 2020 when the Bintulu MP launched a tirade against the then Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

Let’s give credit where it’s due. When something is not right, let’s be honest about it. When a minister has gone out of his way to perform his tasks as expected of him, let’s applaud him.

To those who have veered into the “racial” debate over this KLIA incident, including two academicians writing in Free Malaysia Today, let me appeal to them to see things with a clearer vision. Not every issue has to be about race or religion.

Tiong is a fellow Chinese and also a fellow Sarawakian. Notwithstanding that, if he is wrong, I will criticise him. If he has done the right thing, I will ready accolades for him.

I do not possess a “racial” lens, certainly not on an issue like corruption which is blatant dishonesty and acquiring illicit benefits. All races are guilty of the same. - Mkini

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FRANCIS PAUL SIAH is a veteran Sarawak editor and heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS). He can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.