Alleged KLIA corruption: Umno Youth told not to 'let things go'

MCA Youth has reminded Umno Youth that it is their responsibility to address abuse of power, such as the corruption allegations regarding Immigration Department officers at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

The wing warned its BN peers that if they continue to “let things go”, the country’s image will be tarnished which would inevitably affect the economy.

“All our political leaders, including Umno Youth, should approach these types of problems with an open and understanding perspective to promote social progress and justice in our country.

“Umno Youth also needs to understand that such incidents have happened more than once and have severely affected the country’s image,” said MCA Youth deputy chairperson Tan Chee Hiong (above) in a statement today.

He was referring to Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh’s recent statement urging action to be taken against Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing.

Tiong was accused of breaching security protocols at KLIA and abusing his position on Thursday when he allegedly forced his way past immigration counters to “rescue” a tourist under detention by authorities.

Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing

The minister admitted his actions and said his “rescue” of the tourist exposed corruption among officials in KLIA and that the Chinese national was not the first to receive such treatment when arriving in Malaysia.

On the same note, MCA Youth said that while upholding the rule of law is essential, it is crucial to exercise discretion rather than bluntly enforcing laws in all situations.

It warned against potential abuses of power by individual officers, referred to as ‘Little Napoleons’, which could cause Malaysia to be perceived as “unfriendly” to tourists.

“It needs to be emphasised that all law enforcement units in Malaysia should pay more attention to the impact of their actions on public perception and Malaysia’s image internationally.

“The enforcement of the law should embody fairness and humanity, not just procedural operation.

“We hope the government can deepen the training of the relevant law enforcement units to enhance their ability and level of handling emergencies.

“At the same time, the government should also focus on communication with the public and tourists, explain relevant policies and actions at regular intervals, and dispel public doubts and concerns,” it said.

Minister lauded

MCA Youth also commended Tiong for his “bravery”, calling his actions an example of his dedication as a minister in the context of tourism development.

“In order to enhance the potential for tourism development, he is not afraid to reach out at the grassroots level to gain a deeper comprehension of the situation.

“This not only increases the confidence of international tourists in our law enforcement agencies but also gives a positive impact on the development of our tourism industry,” it said. - Mkini