NETIZENS are divided if it is “Madani-friendly” for Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing to encroach into the Home Ministry’s territory by ‘barging’ into Terminal One of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Thursday (June 29) over alleged corrupt practices by the immigration authorities.
This came about after veteran journalist and blogger Datuk A. Kadir Jasin teased the unity government over the incident:
For a quick context, the Bintulu MP from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has defended his action by claiming that there has been “an incredibly blatant” attempt at corruption and abuse of power with “RM3,000+RM3,000+RM12,000” package being put forth by unscrupulous immigration officers for the release of the Chinese national woman traveller in question.
The price tag comprises:
- RM3,000 for an air ticket to allow the woman to leave the country.
- A second RM3,000 to re-enter Malaysia.
- RM12,000 being the application processing fee for the required visa.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said he would wait for the full report on the incident before deciding on his next move. It is also worthwhile mentioning that Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook has entrusted the airport authorities to conduct a detailed investigation into an incident.
Netizen Haris Hussain wondered why Tiong did not lodge a report with the police or the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) but to take law into his own hand if indeed he had evidence of corruption.
“He has no jurisdiction at all since it’s a criminal matter. His explanation doesn’t hold water. The police and MACC must investigate the minister as well,” opined Haris.
Hadi Haidir questioned why Tiong was “so busy body” in wanting to have the said woman traveller released.
“In the past, he had berated the Immigration Department for not allowing Chinese national tourists to enter Malaysia. As if there’s a lobster in the curry noodles (implying fishy motive).”
But Daniel K Ragu found it amusing that some people are implying that maybe the Home Minister should be handling tourist-related matters instead.
“I think we’re still stuck in old UMNO/BN (Barisan Nasional) mentality of Tun M (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) when we think a visit from a minister to see what’s going in another ministry is out of norm,” he reckoned.
“I didn’t see Tiong take any action on the immigration officers except report back to Saifuddin. Besides, he’s the Tourism Minister. I don’t see how one is incapable of not relating this matter to his department when the matter is related to a tourist.”
Daniel’s view is seconded by Tony George who felt that Tiong had every right to resolve the matter as (a) he is the Tourism Minister, (b) it was a special request from the consulate-general (CG) in Guangzhou, and (c) Tiong was the special envoy to China in the previous administration.
“In this coalition government, the ones bucking and kicking on this matter are the ones with least number of seats,” lambasted the netizen. “I hope PMX (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) quells this matter with the buckers and kickers!!”
While Kadir expressed concern that the matter could cost the Pakatan Harapan (PH)/unity government votes in the upcoming state elections, netizen Md Bjan was relieved that “it was GPS in the centre of controversy for all hell would break loose if it had been DAP”. – July 1, 2023
