Vigneswaran: Loke chose not to hear my side of the story

Dewan Negara president S Vigneswaran has denied Transport Minister Anthony Loke’s allegation that he flouted security protocol at the KLIA VIP lounge.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Vigneswaran said he regretted that he was not given an opportunity to explain his version of events before the minister took the issue to the press.

“The comments made by the minister are inappropriate, wrong and unjustified.

“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.

Earlier today, Loke had shown members of the media a CCTV footage of the Nov 14 incident.

The transport minister claimed that Vigneswaran had knowingly flouting security protocol, including wearing slippers and thus breaching dress code rules, raising his voice at airport staff and entering the VIP lounge without a security pass.

Also present at the press conference was KLIA customer experience personnel Norafiza Mohd Nasir, who recalled her altercation with Vigneswaran at the lounge.

Vigneswaran, who is also MIC president, explained that he had worn slippers due to a minor swelling on his foot and had entered the lounge to send off his child who was travelling overseas.

“Slippers are not in the dressing protocol. The minister does not know what he is talking about.

“[...] What is the security breach? How can the minister do such childish things?

“He could have just given me the opportunity to explain myself but he has already made up his mind. He is the judge, jury and executioner,” he said.

 ‘Rules interpreted on officer’s whims’

When asked if he had raised his voice at Norafiza when she showed him a government circular on the dress code, Vigneswaran did not answer but blamed her for “interpreting” the rules unfairly.

“It was the receptionist at the VIP lounge who stopped me, not the security personnel [...] the circular had no mention about slippers, only that guests needed to be berpakaian bersesuaian (dressed appropriately).

“How can she talk about slippers (being not allowed)? People walk in with slippers (all the time) when they have to do prayers at the prayer room in the lounge.

“She interpreted the rules to her whims and fancies,” he said.

Vigneswaran, however, admitted that he did not have his security pass on him when he entered the VIP lounge.

“I normally don’t hold it, I have never been asked to hold one.

“If I did not have it, the security should have held me (back). It is not me who should be blamed.

“Nobody brought up these issues in the past, the issue was created by that woman,” he said, again referring to Norafiza.

He said his aide had lodged a complaint about the treatment he had received at the VIP lounge the next day after it happened.

The complaint, which Malaysiakini has sighted, stated that there had been no clear signs barring the use of slippers and said such a rule was not “appropriate” for guests who wanted to travel at their own comfort.

He had also asked for action to be taken against the staff who had tended to him at the lounge.

It was emailed to the Prime Minister’s Department, which oversees privileges offered to top government personnel.

 - Mkini