Why Should I Say Sorry Asks Vigneswaran Over Klia Incident

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Dewan Negara president SA Vigneswaran says transport minister should have sought his views before issuing press statement. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: Dewan Negara president SA Vigneswaran has denied breaching security protocols while using VIP services at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport recently, as claimed by the transport minister
Vigneswaran, who is also the MIC president, branded Loke Siew Fook’s attempt to “childishly” shame him today, without contacting him for a clarification, was an “attack” on his role for being in the opposition
Earlier today, Loke told a press conference that Vigneswaran had committed a security breach at KLIA on the night of Nov 14
Vigneswaran is said to have gone through a VIP lane without undergoing a required bodycheck
Loke, a DAP leader, said that Vigneswaran also did not comply with the dress code and was wearing slippers when sending off his daughter through the VIP lane. Vigneswaran was asked to apologise
“It is clear that he menceroboh (trespassed). He just went through, 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 was reported as saying
Vigneswaran, however, said that he did go through the body check and was cleared by the officers on duty
He explained that as he was leaving, the officers called him to alert him that an elevator had come up to take him to the lobby. However, this was misinterpreted as him arguing with the staff members in question, Vigneswaran told FMT
Later, as he approached the departure gates, Vigneswaran said one staff member rebuked him for wearing slippers as he had a wound
He said the airport staff member’s claim that he was rude was “totally unreasonable”
He said all he asked for was to see the supposed government circular stating that VIPs were not allowed to wear sandals
The circular only stated that VIPs must be appropriately attired, in Malay, with no specific mention of the type of footwear required
Given that there was nothing to suggest he had flouted any rules, Vigneswaran said he proceeded to the gates
‘Kangaroo court’“I don’t recognise kangaroo courts,” Vigneswaran told FMT when asked if he would issue an apology on the incident
“Why should I apologise? He (Loke) should apologise to me instead,” Vigneswaran said
“He doesn’t have the courtesy to hear both sides, which is only natural before coming to any decision
“He did this on his own accord. As far as I’m concerned, he is ill-informed or things were misconstrued
“If he wants to call a press conference and air videos claiming I breached something, so be it
“He can carry on doing whatever he wants,” he said, adding that his office had lodged a complaint the day after on the incident but did not hear anything back. - FMT

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