Vigneswaran set to sue Loke
Senate president livid after wife and daughter dragged into the fray
KUALA LUMPUR: Claiming to be put on a “trial by media” and his family ridiculed, Senate president Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran will sue the Transport Minister over accusations that he breached security protocols and wore sandals at the VIP lane at KL International Airport.
Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby, Vigneswaran said his family members were ridiculed on social media following Anthony Loke’s press conference on the Nov 14 incident.
“Vulgar comments were made on social media. As a politician and even as the Senate president, I can accept all that and it is up to him (Loke).
“But if you insult my daughter and wife who have nothing to do with this ... did he not consider this after the video was uploaded?
“I will sue Loke,” he said, alleging that the minister had used Malaysian Airports Holding Bhd to come out with the video.
“It is an attempt to embarrass me as the Dewan Negara president,” he said.
In footage of the incident, the MIC president, who was wearing a red collared shirt, long pants and sandals, was stopped by officers at the VIP lane.
He did not stop and went downstairs into the VIP lobby area before heading to the departure gate.
Vigneswaran denied the accusation, adding that he had a wound on his leg and did not enter the VIP lounge but only sent his daughter off.
Separately, an MIC leader said Loke should likewise take action against Tun Daim Zainuddin for wearing slippers when he uses the VIP lane to receive international delegations.
“Daim’s (protocol) violation is greater because he wears slippers when representing the Prime Minister.
“Why was he not arrested? No police report lodged on this?” Federal Territories MIC chairman S. Rajah told a news portal.
In response, Loke appeared unfazed over the impending legal suit against him, telling Vigneswaran to “bring it on”.
“It is his right. If I had to face legal action for standing up for my airport staff, I have no regrets.
“I think it is the right thing to do,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby.
Loke also said that he was not targeting Vigneswaran’s family when he showed the footage to the press.
“What we are saying is that a VIP had entered into a restricted area without authorisation.
“This is the issue and not about slippers or sandals,” he said.
Police are now investigating Vigneswaran under the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act 1959, after a police report was lodged by the airport management on Saturday.