‘VIP commits security breach at KLIA’

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SEPANG: A VIP committed a security breach at the KL International Airport (KLIA) on Nov 14, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook disclosed yesterday.

He said the senator went through the VIP lane without undergoing a body check at 10.20pm.

Only female security officers were present when the VIP was using the lane and he did not wait for a male officer to come to conduct the body check, he     said.

He also said that the VIP did not comply with the dress code and was wearing slippers when sending off his daughter through the VIP lane.

Loke said the officers on duty did not act against the VIP because they did not want to cause a commotion but reported the matter to him later.

‘This is not a question of politics but a question of security at the airport,” he told a press conference at KLIA.

Loke said the incident came under the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act which provides for an individual who does not comply with security directives to be removed from the airport area.

Last month, Loke announced stricter procedures, including checks by the Customs Department and Immigration Department at the VIP lanes of all airports, to ensure that the facility is not abused.

The minister advised the VIP to make an open apology for having committed the security breach.

He said he viewed the matter seriously and wants a complete report to be sent by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to the Prime Minister’s Department because the VIP lane will be placed under the Ceremonial and International Conference Secretariat Division from Monday.

Loke said it will be left to the Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, to make a decision in the matter.

“The wearing of slippers can be forgiven, but the attitude of the individual cannot be forgiven although he may be a VIP,” he said. — Bernama